"We returned war back to Russia": Zelenskyy assesses results of Kursk operation, awards military

He said this in the nightly video address.

"Today is half a year since the Kursk operation, our active actions on the territory of Russia — we brought the war back home, to Russia, and it is there that they should feel what war is. And they do. Today I awarded the participants of the Kursk operation: two servicemen — Heroes of Ukraine, I also awarded the "Crosses of Combat Merit", orders of Ukraine," Zelenskyy said.

He emphasized that since the beginning of the operation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Kursk region, North Korean soldiers have been captured, Ukraine has replenished the exchange fund.

"We are exposing the Russian bluff as a bluff. We are defending our cities – Sumy and Kharkiv. We have significantly replenished the exchange fund – these are hundreds and hundreds of Russian military personnel, whom we are exchanging to return Ukrainians from captivity. We also have North Korean soldiers in captivity – they are currently undergoing treatment, they were wounded in battle. Severe wounds. But they are proof that Putin has drawn another state into this war – North Korea, and is teaching this state to wage a modern war. This is a threat to everyone, to every country in East Asia," the president said.

Earlier, Zelenskyy said that the Kursk operation will become an important part of the negotiation process to end the war in Ukraine.

At the same time, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, during 6 months of active hostilities in the Kursk region, the total Russian troop losses amounted to approximately 39,900 people, of whom about 16,100 were killed.