Ukraine still holds ground inside Russia's Kursk, commander says

Ukraine's top military commander, Oleksandr Syrsky, reported that Ukrainian forces are still holding a small area of territory inside Russia's Kursk region, seized almost a year ago. Despite facing 10,000 Russian troops seeking to push them back, Ukraine maintains control of approximately 90 sq km in Kursk. President Zelensky highlighted the strategic significance of the operation in creating a buffer zone to deter Russian deployments in eastern Ukraine, though recent Russian reinforcements have led to Ukrainian retreats in the region.