Kursk fighting: Zelenskyy claims Ukrainian advances, Russia says it repelled push in five areas

Ukraine says its ongoing offensive into the Russian border region of Kursk is intended to create a buffer zone against Russian shelling. The offensive, which took Russia by surprise more than a week ago, has seen Ukrainian forces take control of dozens of villages across a wide area and with limited resistance. It remains unclear what the ultimate objective of the operation may be but analysts say it demonstrates to Ukraine’s western allies its commitment to keep fighting.