Zelensky says troops active inside Russia

Presence confirmed for 1st time in Belgorod as border battles intensify

KYIV — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed for the first time on Monday that his country's troops have been active in Russia's Belgorod region, as they seek to protect Ukrainian towns near the border.

Ukrainian troops remain in parts of the neighboring Russian region of Kursk eight months after a cross-border incursion, though Russian forces have recaptured much of the lost territory.

In his nightly video address, Zelensky said Ukraine's top commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi, had presented a report "on the front line, our presence in the Kursk region and our presence in the Belgorod region".