“We take a lot of prisoners”: Ukrainian fighter on operation in Kursk region

He shared the information exclusively with Espreso TV.

Yesterday, a video went viral showing elderly women in the Kursk region speaking to the Ukrainian military in Ukrainian. The video was recorded by Yurko Yakovenko, a soldier of the Nachtigall Battalion participating in the Ukrainian Armed Forces' operation in the Kursk region. Yakovenko remarked, "This operation was a surprise for everyone. The Ukrainian Armed Forces caught the Russians off guard. The Russian military leadership took some time to react, and now the Russian Armed Forces  are trying to resist, or rather ‘put out fires.’

On our part, everything was carefully planned and organized. So, it is paying off — our army is advancing deeper into Russia and expanding its presence. In addition, there are a lot of captured Russian soldiers," emphasized the Ukrainian fighter. 

He notes that locals have reacted in different ways to the arrival of Ukrainian troops. "The first civilians we encountered were the two elderly ladies who spoke Ukrainian to us. Otherwise, most people are staying in their homes and hiding. They are likely waiting for a new government or at least some form of governance, as the Russians seem absolutely helpless without authorities guiding them," the fighter added.

In the video, the Russian women displayed an unexpected warmth towards the Ukrainian troops and even began conversing in Ukrainian.

"Do you speak Ukrainian?" one of the soldiers inquired, taken aback.

"Yes. I’m not Ukrainian, but I do speak Ukrainian," one of the women responded.

Their exchange ended on a cheerful note, with one of the soldiers saying, "So, Glory to Ukraine!"

"Yes, Glory!" one of the elderly women agreed before they parted ways.

Yurko Yakovenko emphasized that Ukraine’s successes and advances in the Kursk region are primarily due to the efforts of the assault units, although he serves in a support unit.

Ukraine’s cross-border incursion in Russia’s Kursk region

On August 6, the authorities of Russia's Kursk region stated that the Ukrainian Armed Forces allegedly tried to break through the Russian border, but were allegedly pushed back. Later, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that "the Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance group retreated to its territory.”

Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate refused to comment on the statements regarding the Kursk region. However, NV media, citing its own source in Ukrainian intelligence, wrote that the events in the Kursk region "definitely did not involve fighters of the Russian Volunteer Corps, who are fighting as part of Ukraine's Armed Forces.”

The Institute for the Study of War noted that the Russian Defense Ministry, acting governor of the Kursk region Alexei Smirnov, and some propagandists have different versions of the events in the Kursk region.

On August 7, Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin convened the Russian military leadership to discuss the situation in the Kursk region, which he called a "large-scale provocation." At the time, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called on the international community to "strongly condemn the Kyiv regime's criminal attacks on Russian territory."

On the same day, Russian media reported that workers at the Kursk nuclear power plant feared that the plant's management had not prepared for a possible attack by the Ukrainian armed forces.

Additionally, in the Kursk region, the Russians have started forming UAV operator units from civilians, providing them with up to 10 hours of training.

On August 7, a state of emergency was introduced in the Kursk region.

On August 8, the Institute for War Studies reported that Ukrainian troops confirmed advancing up to 10 km deep into the Kursk region as mechanized offensives continued.

On August 8, Russia’s National Guard announced that it had implemented additional security measures at the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant to protect a "particularly important facility."

The Washington Post reported that Ukraine has taken control of the gas metering station in Sudzha, Kursk region. Previously, Russia claimed that the Ukrainian Armed Forces had occupied several border villages and part of the town of Sudzha.

Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh stated that Ukraine’s actions in the Kursk region in Russia "are consistent with U.S. policy" and do not cause any escalation.

On Friday, August 9, it was reported that terrorists from PMC Wagner intend to fight for Russia in the Kursk region.