**Ukraine Advances in Russia’s Belgorod Oblast, Says President Zelensky**
In a recent development, Ukrainian forces have made gains in Russia’s Belgorod Oblast, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky. This news comes as Ukraine continues its cross-border operations against Russian territory.
On April 19, Zelensky claimed that Ukrainian troops had advanced and increased their zone of control in Belgorod Oblast. He based this information on a report from Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi. This latest move marks the second time Ukraine has launched an operation in Russian territory since August 2024, when it carried out a major cross-border incursion into Kursk Oblast.
**Background and Context**
Since 2023, Ukraine has conducted occasional cross-border raids against Russia, often with volunteer soldiers fighting alongside Ukrainian units. These raids have been primarily political operations rather than military ones, aimed at diverting Russian attention from front-line areas in eastern Ukraine.
In August 2024, Ukraine launched a major incursion into Kursk Oblast, occupying parts of the region and attempting to disrupt Russian supply lines. However, Russia recaptured the key logistics hub of Sudzha in March 2025, forcing Ukrainian troops to withdraw from substantial parts of the region.
**Recent Developments**
On March 29, Russian military bloggers and independent analysts reported that Ukrainian forces had advanced three to four kilometers into Belgorod Oblast, engaging in battles with Russian troops. Geolocated footage analyzed by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) showed Ukrainian troops entering the village of Popovka, which lies near the Ukrainian border and Kursk Oblast.
Zelensky’s statement on April 19 confirmed this development, stating that Ukrainian forces continued their activity in Kursk Oblast and advanced in Belgorod Oblast. This news has significant implications for the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
**Analysis and Commentary**
The recent advances by Ukrainian forces in Belgorod Oblast suggest a shift in strategy by Kyiv, which may be attempting to divert Russian attention away from front-line areas in eastern Ukraine. The fact that Ukrainian troops have managed to occupy parts of Kursk Oblast for seven months before being forced to withdraw highlights the complexity and fluidity of this conflict.
As tensions between Ukraine and Russia continue to escalate, it remains to be seen how Moscow will respond to these developments. One thing is certain: the situation on the ground in Belgorod Oblast has taken a significant turn, with Ukrainian forces now firmly entrenched on Russian soil.
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