Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Friday that Russian forces
have suffered 6,000 casualties, including dead and wounded, during Ukrainian military
operations in Russia’s Kursk region over the past month. The Ukrainian military began
its operations on August 6 and now controls around 100 localities across 1,300 square
kilometers of Russian territory.
At a joint press conference with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in Germany,
Zelenskyy explained that the incursion into Kursk aimed to prevent Russia from opening
a new front in Ukraine’s Sumy region. He argued that Russia’s continued offensive in
Ukraine shows the invasion is not defensive, as President Vladimir Putin claims, but an
effort to expand territory.
Zelenskyy called on Ukraine’s allies for more long-range weaponry to strike targets
within Russia, saying it is necessary to end the war. He also emphasized the need for
additional air-defense systems, highlighting recent missile and drone attacks on
Ukraine.
During the 24th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group at Ramstein Air Base,
Zelenskyy reiterated his plea for more military support. U.S. policy still restricts Ukraine
from using American-supplied weapons to attack deep within Russian territory, though
Zelenskyy argued that such strikes are essential to motivating Russia to seek peace.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin affirmed the group’s support for Ukraine but did
not directly address the long-range weapons request. He emphasized the importance of
air defense, fires, and armor, and urged Ukraine to boost its own defense production for
long-term security.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg echoed Zelenskyy’s call for more military
support, stating that a strong Ukraine is the quickest path to ending the war and
achieving lasting peace.

Sources: The Associated Press, Reuters, and Agence France-Presse.