Ukrainian forces pushed on with their cross-border advance into Russia’s Kursk region for a second week on Wednesday, claiming that they took more ground, captured more Russian prisoners and destroyed a bomber in attacks on military airfields.

Assault troops advanced 1 to 2 km farther into areas of Kursk on Wednesday, the commander of the Ukrainian military, Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, said in a video posted on President Volodymyr Zelensky’s Telegram channel.

Ukrainian troops also took more than 100 Russian soldiers prisoner, Syrskyi said. Zelensky said they would eventually be swapped for Ukrainian prisoners of war.

Additionally, the troops destroyed a Russian Su-34 jet used to launch devastating glide bombs at Ukrainian front-line positions and cities, Ukraine’s General Staff said.

The surprise Ukrainian push into the Kursk region that began on August 6 has rattled the Kremlin. The daring operation is the largest attack on Russia since World War II and could involve as many as 10,000 Ukrainian troops backed by armour.

Reuters