Ukraine plans to hold occupied Russian territory indefinitely

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine intends to maintain control over the Russian territory it currently occupies, following a successful military operation that pushed into Kursk, Russia. This operation has reportedly allowed Ukraine to claim nearly 500 square miles of Russian land. Zelensky emphasized that the primary goal is to restore Ukraine's territorial integrity, suggesting that holding this territory could serve as leverage in negotiations with Russia to end the ongoing conflict. The situation escalated recently with Russian strikes on a military education facility in Poltava, resulting in over 40 Ukrainian casualties and injuring at least 180 others. This attack marks one of the deadliest incidents since the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, highlighting the ongoing violence and instability in the region. Ukrainian officials have been advocating for the United States and other Western allies to lift restrictions on the use of military aid provided to Ukraine. Initially, the U.S. prohibited Ukraine from targeting Russian territory, but this policy was partially reversed in May, allowing strikes on military targets near the border. However, Ukraine seeks broader permission to target military installations throughout Russia, which remains a contentious issue. Despite the significant military support from the U.S., the Biden administration has been cautious about meeting all of Ukraine's requests, fearing that certain actions could provoke further escalation with Russia. The ongoing conflict continues to evolve, with both sides adapting their strategies in response to the changing dynamics on the ground.