Ukraine's top military leader announced on Thursday that Kyiv had established a military commandant's office in the Russian-occupied area of the Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces continue to progress. Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi informed President Volodymyr Zelensky in a video released by the Ukrainian president that Kyiv's troops had advanced 35km into Russia's Kursk region since initiating an incursion last week. The sudden push into Russian territory last week took Moscow off guard, shifting the momentum from Russian forces who had been making slow but consistent progress throughout the year in the eastern part of the country. Syrskyi reported that Ukrainian forces had secured control over 82 settlements and an area of 1,150 square kilometres during the incursion. He also announced the appointment of Major General Eduard Moskalyov to lead a military commandant's office in the area held by Kyiv in western Russia.
"We are advancing in the Kursk region. A military commandant's office has been established to maintain order and meet the needs of the local population," Syrskyi stated in a written message on his Telegram channel.
