Ukraine Holds Russian Territory as Part of Zelensky’s ‘Victory Plan’ Amid Ongoing Conflict

Zelensky seems quite optimistic as the Russians have nearly destroyed the Ukrainian military in the rest of the nation.

In a recent development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced his intention to maintain control over Russian territories captured by Ukraine during a surprise military operation last month. Speaking to NBC News, Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine does not aspire to extend its cultural or political influence into these regions, stating, “We don’t need their land. We don’t want to bring our Ukrainian way of life there.”

🇺🇦 Ukraine plans to hold captured Russian territory indefinitely as part of ‘victory plan’ to end war – Zelensky

Ze also said he could not discuss whether Ukraine plans to try to seize more Russian territory.

In fact, the AFU does not have enough men, weapons and power, so they… pic.twitter.com/6EpwOQ4pzh

— Zlatti71 (@Zlatti_71) September 3, 2024

This strategic move comes as part of what Zelensky describes as a “victory plan” to conclude the ongoing conflict, which erupted more than two and a half years ago with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The unexpected incursion into Russia’s Kursk region on August 6 marked a significant shift in the conflict, resulting in the evacuation of approximately 180,000 people from the area and the capture of around 450 square miles of Russian territory—the first breach of Russia’s sovereignty since World War II.

In the wake of the operation, Ukraine took over 100 Russian soldiers as prisoners of war, some of whom have already been exchanged for Ukrainian prisoners, according to reports from the Associated Press.

Zelensky described the August 6 mission as a “pre-emptive strike” aimed at thwarting Russian plans to establish a buffer zone along the Ukrainian border. He refrained from discussing future military plans, suggesting that the element of surprise remains a critical component of their strategy.

President Zelensky has said, #Ukraine intends to hold captured russian territory “indefinitely.” August 6th, Ukrainian forces invaded russia’s Kursk region and hold 1,300sq km of territory. Zelensky said “We don’t need their land. We don’t want to bring our Ukrainian way of life… pic.twitter.com/3v33pOxJS2

— Glasnost Gone (@GlasnostGone) September 4, 2024

The counteroffensive prompted Russia to reallocate troops from other parts of eastern Ukraine to the Kursk region, as stated by Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi, Ukraine’s commander-in-chief. This shift involved an estimated 30,000 Russian troops, although this figure has not been independently verified.

Looking ahead, Zelensky plans to propose a four-stage peace plan to U.S. President Joe Biden and other key figures in the upcoming U.S. election. He aims to discuss this plan at the United Nations General Assembly in New York later this month, where he will meet with Biden and potentially other U.S. political figures.

Amidst these developments, Zelensky revealed that the Biden administration was not forewarned about Ukraine’s maneuver into Russian territory, a decision made to maximize operational secrecy and effectiveness.

Zelenskyy says Ukraine plans to indefinitely hold Russian territory it has seized https://t.co/OZWtCPgwv2 pic.twitter.com/k5vidjQYTI

— The Last Word (@TheLastWord) September 3, 2024

As the situation develops, Kyiv continues to face challenges, particularly in the Donetsk region where Russian forces are advancing. Meanwhile, a recent Russian strike in central Ukraine resulted in significant casualties, underscoring the ongoing severity of the conflict. There has been no immediate response from Moscow regarding this latest attack.

Major Points:

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Ukraine intends to permanently retain the Russian territories it captured during a recent surprise military operation, emphasizing that Ukraine does not seek to impose its culture or governance on these areas.
• The operation, part of Zelensky’s broader “victory plan” to end the ongoing war, resulted in Ukraine seizing about 450 square miles of Russian territory, the first such breach of Russian sovereignty since World War II.
• Following the incursion, over 100 Russian soldiers were captured and some have been exchanged for Ukrainian prisoners, highlighting the ongoing human costs of the conflict.
• Zelensky plans to present a four-stage peace plan at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he will meet with U.S. President Joe Biden and potentially other American political leaders.
• Despite the gains in the Kursk region, the conflict continues with recent Russian advances in Ukraine’s Donetsk region and a deadly strike in central Ukraine, underlining the persistent violence and instability.

James Kravitz – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News