Thu Sep 19 05:32:50 UTC 2024: ## Ukraine Halts Russian Counteroffensive in Kursk Region, Claims Victory Plan Ready

**Kursk, Russia/Kyiv, Ukraine** – Ukrainian forces have successfully repelled a Russian counteroffensive aimed at retaking Ukrainian-held territory in the Kursk region, according to a spokesperson from Ukraine’s military administration. The spokesperson, Oleksiy Dmytrashkivsky, stated that Russian forces attempted to attack from the flanks but were stopped. He declared the situation stabilized and under control, adding that the Russians are not successful in their efforts.

While a Ukrainian official later downplayed the claim, stating that the Russian operation was ongoing and it was premature to declare complete failure, President Volodymyr Zelensky struck a determined tone, announcing that Ukraine’s victory plan is fully prepared and ready for implementation. He plans to discuss the plan with US President Joe Biden this month.

Zelensky emphasized the need for lasting security for Ukraine and Europe, rejecting any “freezing” of the conflict or manipulations that would merely shift Russian aggression elsewhere. He reiterated his commitment to hosting an international peace summit in November to outline his vision for ending the war, inviting Russia to participate.

Meanwhile, Dmytrashkivsky reported that several thousand Russian civilians remain in areas occupied by Ukrainian forces, with some settlements housing hundreds of people. He stated that Russian strikes on the region have killed 23 civilians since August, and that the civilians are currently unable to leave due to the need for control, but are allowed to move freely within the area. He emphasized that the only way for them to be evacuated to Russian-controlled territory would be through a negotiated green corridor supervised by international observers.

The Ukrainian military continues to supply food and water to the civilians in the region, while Russia has yet to provide details on the number of its citizens residing in Ukrainian-held areas.

In other developments, Ukraine claimed to have struck an arms depot in Russia’s Tver region, sparking a massive blaze and the evacuation of nearby residents. Videos circulating on social media show a fireball erupting into the night sky and columns of smoke rising over a body of water. A source in Ukraine’s security services alleged that the warehouse contained missiles for Iskander and Tochka-U tactical missile systems, as well as guided aerial bombs and artillery ammunition.

While Ukraine does not typically claim responsibility for attacks in Russia, they often welcome them as retaliation for Moscow’s strikes on Ukrainian territory.

**Note:** This news article combines the information presented in the original text, focusing on the key developments regarding the situation in the Kursk region and Ukraine’s broader strategy. It includes information on the Ukrainian counteroffensive, the Russian counteroffensive, the ongoing humanitarian situation, and the recent attack on a Russian arms depot.

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