Zelensky about the Kursk operation: In the morning there is a replenishment of the exchange fund

In the course of the Kursk operation, Ukraine has replenished the exchange fund of prisoners of war and expanded the stabilised territory.

This was reported by Volodymyr Zelenskyy on 17 August after a report by the commander-in-chief, Oleksandr Syrskyy.

As of this morning, there is a replenishment of the exchange fund for our state. Thank you to all soldiers and commanders who take Russian military prisoners of war and by this bring closer the release of our soldiers and civilians held by Russia. Also, General Syrskyy reported on the strengthening of the positions of our forces in Kursk region and the expansion of the stabilised territory," Zelenskyy stressed.

According to him, the main thing for Ukraine now is to limit Russia's offensive potential and expand Ukraine's long-range capabilities.

At the same time, the president said that he discussed with the commander-in-chief the Toretskoye and Pokrovskoye directions, where the Russians are conducting a fierce offensive.

What is happening in Kursk region

The Ukrainian operation in the Kursk region has been going on for 10 days. Ukrainian forces have managed to take hundreds of Russian soldiers prisoner.

Journalists of The Washington Post published a report from the prison, visited the prison where these military men are held.

As indicated, over the past 10 days, 320 people have passed through this prison on their way to other prisoner of war camps. Most of them are conscripts.

We didn't want to go to war. We were promised that we would not be involved in combat at all. But something went wrong," the publication quotes 22-year-old Nikolai from Chelyabinsk.

According to WP, the vast majority of the captives were not injured. One of the wounded said that he himself tried to blow himself up with a grenade to avoid being captured. The AFU soldiers gave him first aid, and after the evacuation the serviceman was operated on.

To knock the AFU out of Kursk Region, Russia needs 20,000 experienced soldiers, UNIAN quoted another foreign publication The Wall Street Journal as saying.

At the same time, Russia has withdrawn only 5,000 troops from Ukraine, including one brigade from Donetsk Region, where Russia is most active in its offensive.