**Ukraine Military Chief Claims Kursk Offensive is Effective, Stalling Russian Advances**

**Oleksandr Syrskii acknowledges that the situation in Pokrovsk is "most problematic" but insists that the Kursk offensive is achieving its intended effect.**

**Syrskii affirmed that the Kursk strategy was the correct approach [Ukrainian Presidential Press Service via Reuters].**

**Oleksandr Syrskii, Ukraine’s top military commander, has defended Ukraine’s incursion into Russia’s Kursk region, stating that the offensive is effective as Russia has not advanced in a crucial area of the eastern front in Ukraine for six days.**

Kyiv launched the surprise offensive into Kursk on August 6, claiming to have captured approximately 1,300 square kilometers (502 square miles) of territory and numerous settlements.

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Officials have indicated that the offensive is part of a strategy to impede Russia’s advance towards the strategically significant town of Pokrovsk in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine.

In an interview with CNN, Syrskii remarked, “We are doing everything possible to prevent losing Pokrovsk.” He noted, “Over the past six days, the enemy hasn’t advanced a single meter in the direction of Pokrovsk. In other words, our strategy is working.”

The situation on the front line and the claims from both sides have not been independently verified.

Earlier on Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that the Kursk offensive had failed to hinder Russia’s advance and had instead weakened Ukraine’s defenses in Donetsk.

Analysts report that Russia has shifted few soldiers from eastern Ukraine to Kursk, relying instead on conscripts and ethnic Chechen fighters to support their forces.

Russia continues to claim progress towards Pokrovsk, asserting that it has captured several small villages east of the town and nearby Myrnohrad, prompting the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents.

In an interview recorded at a location near the front line, Syrskii conceded that the situation in Pokrovsk is “the most problematic for us” but maintained that the Kursk offensive is achieving its goals. “We’ve deprived them of the ability to maneuver and deploy reinforcements,” he said.

**“We’ve observed a reduction in both the volume of artillery shelling and the intensity of the offensive,” Syrskii noted. “I believe this strategy was the right choice and will yield the results we’re aiming for.”**

Amid ongoing conflict and a recent surge in Russian bombardments that have resulted in numerous casualties, Ukraine has intensified its calls on the US and other allies for increased air defense support and permission to use Western-supplied long-range weapons against military targets within Russia.

These issues are expected to be addressed at a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) in Germany on Friday, where military aid to Ukraine will be discussed.

In anticipation of the meeting, the United Kingdom has announced plans to provide Ukraine with 650 lightweight multirole missile (LMM) systems to enhance its air defense capabilities, with the first deliveries expected by the end of the year.