President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Russian forces are attempting to encircle Ukrainian troops on Ukrainian territory in Kursk direction, but Ukrainian command is aware of these plans.
The head of state made this statement during a briefing, as reported by a Ukrinform correspondent.
“I believe that the Russian side wants to encircle Ukrainian forces in the same direction (the Kursk front), but on Ukrainian territory. The important thing is that our forces are aware of this, the command knows, and we clearly understand where they want to do it. Obviously, they aim to establish maximum presence on Ukrainian territory, and there’s nothing new about that,” Zelensky said.
He also confirmed that the information about Ukrainian forces being encircled in Kursk region is “Putin’s lie.”
“I am grateful that our intelligence data matched with those from partners today, and we discussed that the Ukrainian side has a presence in Kursk region, and the claim of Ukrainian forces being encircled is Putin’s lie. There is no encirclement of Ukrainian forces in Kursk region,” the President stated.
He added that Ukraine’s partners can verify his words through intelligence data and satellite images.
“Again, I don’t want to argue with any partners or colleagues. They have intelligence services and satellites. Let them look at where Russian forces are currently concentrated and where they are headed. This is a very important point. Then it will be clear what their intentions are. Clearly, these steps have nothing to do with peace,” Zelensky noted.
As reported by Ukrinform, on March 14, Ukraine’s General Staff denied reports of Ukrainian units being encircled in Kursk region, stating that such claims are false and are being spread by Russians for political purposes.
Photo: Office of the President
