For the first time since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has openly confirmed the presence of Ukrainian forces inside Russia’s Belgorod region. In his daily address on Monday, 7 April 2025, Zelenskyy noted “active operations” across the border and stated bluntly, “The war must return to where it came from.”
This statement marks a significant departure from Ukraine’s long-standing ambiguity regarding operations on Russian soil. Though Ukrainian cross-border attacks have occurred, including drone strikes and artillery shelling, this is the first instance of the Ukrainian president acknowledging a direct ground presence within Russian territory.
“Active Operations” in Belgorod and Kursk
Zelenskyy specifically referred to General Oleksandr Syrsky’s report detailing Ukrainian “presence in Kursk region and our presence in Belgorod region.” The Belgorod area, which borders Ukraine’s Kharkiv and Sumy regions, has increasingly come under attack over the past year.
According to the pro-Ukrainian DeepState military blog, Ukrainian troops have taken control of approximately 13 square kilometres near Demidovka, a border village inside Belgorod. While the Russian military admitted to repelling Ukrainian incursions into the region in March, this is the first formal claim of sustained Ukrainian control within Russian borders.
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Ukrainian officials have framed these operations as tactical diversions, aimed at pulling Russian troops away from offensives in Ukraine’s northeast, especially around Kharkiv and Sumy.
Zelenskyy: “The War Must Return”
Zelenskyy’s message was clear: offensive operations inside Russia are a strategic necessity and justified response to years of Russian aggression.
“We continue to conduct active operations in the border areas on the enemy’s territory, and this is absolutely right,” he said. The statement underscores Ukraine’s evolving strategy—pushing the frontline deeper into Russian territory as Kyiv faces relentless assaults on its own cities.
This development may represent a turning point in the war’s geographical dynamics and international discourse, with Kyiv openly defending its right to conduct military actions within Russia’s borders.
Mourning in Kryvyi Rih After Deadliest Attack on Children
While Ukraine pushes forward militarily, the emotional weight of Russia’s brutal missile strikes hangs heavy. Zelenskyy’s hometown of Kryvyi Rih was rocked by tragedy on Friday when a Russian missile obliterated an apartment complex and nearby playground. The attack killed 20 civilians, including nine children, and wounded more than 70 others.
Funerals were held Monday as grief swept through the central Ukrainian city. Among the mourners were families, teachers, and neighbours devastated by the loss of so many young lives.
Teacher Iryna Kholod, speaking about two of her seven-year-old students—Arina and Radyslav—recalled their kindness and energy. “They were like little suns in the classroom,” she told reporters. “Two desks in my classroom are empty forever.”
The UN Human Rights Office in Ukraine confirmed the attack was the single deadliest verified strike on children since the war began. The international community, including Ukrainian officials, has decried the attack as a war crime.
“We are not asking for pity,” said Kryvyi Rih city administrator Oleksandr Vilkul. “We demand the world’s outrage.”
Trump Speaks on Bombing, Hints at Peace Talks
From Washington, Donald Trump weighed in on recent escalations, stating on Monday that Russia was “bombing like crazy right now.” He also claimed that U.S.-led negotiations were “sort of close” to securing a deal between Russia and Ukraine, though he admitted being “not happy with all the bombing that’s going [on] in the last week or so.”
Trump reiterated his longstanding position that, if elected, he would end the war in Ukraine “within 24 hours” of returning to the White House in January. His remarks followed reports that the Kremlin was open to a ceasefire but had reservations about the conditions proposed by the West.
Despite talk of peace, Russia has shown no sign of slowing its military aggression, and recent strikes—like the one in Kryvyi Rih—suggest Moscow is doubling down ahead of potential negotiations.
Kremlin Pushes Back on Ceasefire Framework
The Kremlin responded to international reports about ceasefire discussions with guarded openness, stating it supports the concept but needs “clarity” on how the framework would be implemented. Russian officials have suggested that the West’s proposals are too vague or tilted in favour of Ukraine.
Some analysts view the Kremlin’s cautious stance as an attempt to buy time while continuing offensives and hardening its territorial gains. Others suggest that internal Russian pressures—such as economic strain and military fatigue—may eventually force Moscow to seriously consider talks.
Strategic Implications of the Belgorod Advance
Military experts suggest that Ukraine’s incursion into Belgorod is both tactical and symbolic. The move disrupts Russian logistics and forces the Kremlin to divert troops from offensive operations in Ukraine to protect its own borders.
It also sends a powerful message domestically and abroad: Ukraine is not merely defending itself—it is taking the fight to Russia.
Still, such moves come with risks. Further incursions could provoke a disproportionate response from Moscow, and some western allies may grow uneasy if Ukrainian strikes extend too far into Russian territory. However, Ukraine’s leadership seems undeterred.
“This war cannot be one-sided,” Zelenskyy’s senior adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said. “There must be consequences for the aggressor, even within its own territory.”
The Human Cost Mounts
As the war surpasses 1,140 days, its toll continues to rise—on the battlefield and in the homes and schools of ordinary Ukrainians. With over 20 killed in Kryvyi Rih and more cities at risk from missile attacks, the push for international support has become more urgent.
Yet amid the destruction, Ukraine’s military strategy is shifting. It is no longer purely defensive. It is calibrated, targeted, and increasingly cross-border.
What to Watch
- Potential escalation: With Ukrainian troops active in Belgorod, further cross-border confrontations are likely.
- Russian retaliation: How Russia responds to this acknowledged Ukrainian presence could redefine the conflict.
- Peace negotiations: Despite claims of progress, meaningful talks remain elusive as bombings continue.
- International reaction: Ukraine’s strikes into Russia may test the patience and support of some Western partners.
As both the battlefield and diplomatic tables remain in flux, one thing is clear—Ukraine is no longer waiting to be attacked. It’s now shaping the conflict beyond its borders.
