Ukrainian Chief of Staff stated that the Kursk offensive is effective and Russia's advance has been stalled.

While acknowledging the challenging situation in Pokrofsk, Oleksandr Silskyi asserts that the Kursk offensive is yielding the intended results.

Oleksandr Silskyi, the Supreme Commander of the Ukrainian army, defended the invasion of the Russian Kursk region in Ukraine, stating that the offensive was successful due to Russia's lack of progress into key areas of the Ukrainian Eastern Front for six days.

Kyiv launched a surprise attack on Kursk on August 6, reportedly occupying an estimated 1,300 square kilometers of territory and dozens of settlements.

Government officials stated that this attack is part of a strategy to delay Russia's advance towards the strategically important town of Pokrofsk in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine.

Speaking to American broadcaster CNN, Silskyi stated that Ukraine is doing everything possible to not lose Pokrofsk.

"In these six days, the enemy has not advanced a single meter towards Pokrofsk. That means, our strategy is working well.

I couldn't confirm the situation on the front lines or the claims of each camp.

On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the Kursk offensive failed to slow Russia's advance and only served to weaken Ukraine's defense in Donetsk.

According to analysts, Russia has not moved many soldiers from eastern Ukraine to Kursk.

Russia continues to claim advances towards Pokrovsk and says they have occupied several small villages east of Pokrovsk, including Milnograd, where thousands of residents have been evacuated.

In an interview recorded at an undisclosed location near the front lines, Silski admitted that the situation in Pokrovsk is "the most problematic for us," but claimed that the Kursk offensive is achieving the intended effect.

"We have deprived them of their mobility and the ability to deploy reinforcements," he said.

"Not only has the amount of shelling decreased, but the intensity of the attacks as well.

"I believe this strategy has been chosen correctly and will bring about the desired results."

As the fighting continues and the shelling from Russia becomes a new wave, causing dozens of deaths in the past week, Ukraine is increasing pressure on the United States and other allied countries to enhance its air defense system and enable the use of long-range weapons provided from the West against military targets in Russia.

These issues are likely to be discussed at a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG), a group that provides military assistance to Ukraine, which will be held in Germany on Friday.

Ahead of this meeting, the United Kingdom has announced that it will supply 650 lightweight Multi-Role Missiles (LMM) systems to enhance Ukraine's air defense capabilities.

In the past few days, we have witnessed the tragic consequences of Russia's indiscriminate attacks on Poltava and Lviv. These new British-made missiles will provide support to protect the people, infrastructure, and territory of Ukraine from Putin's brutal attacks.