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 war with Russia.
“We continue to carry out active operations in the border areas on enemy territory, and that is absolutely just — war must return to where it came from,” Zelensky said in a video address on Monday.
The Ukrainian leader also referenced military activity in Russia’s Kursk region, where Kyiv previously captured several villages, including the town of Sudzha, during a major offensive last year. While Moscow has retaken most of the territory, Ukraine still holds a small area in the region.
Zelensky emphasized that the primary aim of the cross-border operations is to defend Ukraine’s northeastern border, particularly the Sumy and Kharkiv regions, and to ease Russian pressure on other parts of the front line, especially in the eastern Donetsk region.
He praised the efforts of the Ukrainian military, highlighting the role of the 225th Assault Regiment currently deployed in Belgorod. “Well done, guys! I'm proud of each and every one who is fighting for Ukraine,” he said, without offering additional operational details.
This is Zelensky’s clearest acknowledgment to date of Ukrainian boots on Russian soil. While he had previously hinted at operations in Belgorod — notably in a March 18 statement — this is his first direct confirmation.
In recent weeks, Russian officials claimed they had repelled multiple Ukrainian attempts to cross into Belgorod. However, reports from Russian military bloggers indicated fierce clashes in the village of Demidovka, just two kilometers from the Ukrainian border. The U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) also noted Ukrainian advances near Demidovka and Prilesye, though these reports remain unconfirmed.
New reports from Russian sources now suggest that Ukrainian troops may be pulling back from Demidovka, signaling a possible shift in tactics.
Compared to the broader offensive in Kursk, Ukraine’s activity in Belgorod appears to be on a smaller scale. However, Ukrainian officials maintain that these incursions have forced Russia to divert forces away from critical zones like Donetsk, where Russian troops have been gradually advancing.
Analysts suggest Ukraine might be aiming to use any territory it controls in Russia as leverage in future peace talks — especially as the United States and international partners push for a negotiated resolution.
Nonetheless, questions remain about the sustainability of Ukraine’s operations across the border, amid concerns over combat losses and limited weapons supplies.