Ukraine's offensive into the Russian border region of Kursk diverted around 40,000 Russian troops away from the frontline, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Thursday. Kyiv launched its Kursk offensive on August 6 in a bid to pull Moscow's forces away from eastern Ukraine,

The number of Russian troops pulled over to Kursk Oblast, announced by President Volodymyr Zelensky in early September, was higher — 60,000.

Operation in Kursk Oblast: around 40,000 Russian troops have already been drawn to this direction,” said Zelenskyy. “Our active measures continue, and our [POW] exchange fund is growing.” He added that Ukrainian forces had managed to reduce the intensity of Russian assaults in Donetsk Oblast,