KYIV — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has, for the first time, publicly confirmed that Ukrainian forces are operating inside Russia’s Belgorod region, marking a significant development in the ongoing conflict with Moscow.
Speaking during a press briefing on Saturday, Zelensky acknowledged the cross-border military activity, stating that Ukrainian troops were “taking necessary defensive actions” in response to Russian aggression and attacks launched from the region.
“Our forces are acting wherever necessary to defend Ukraine,” Zelensky said. “That includes neutralizing threats near or across our border.”
While he did not provide specific details about the scale or objectives of the operation, Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine’s actions are in line with the country’s right to self-defense under international law.
Russia’s Belgorod region, which borders eastern Ukraine, has been the target of previous drone strikes and shelling. Russian officials have repeatedly accused Ukraine of conducting incursions and blamed Kyiv for civilian casualties and infrastructure damage in the area.
The Kremlin has yet to issue an official response to Zelensky’s latest remarks, though analysts believe this confirmation could further escalate tensions between the two countries and draw renewed international attention to the conflict’s expanding geographic scope.
