Ukraine has continued its advances into Russia’s Kursk region following a surprise attack earlier this month. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that his troops are achieving their “strategic goal,” which aims to increase the “exchange fund” for the country. Since the attack, Ukraine claims its troops have advanced at least 1,000 square kilometres into Russian territory. Ukraine also aims to create a “buffer zone” in Kursk to prevent cross-border strikes. Meanwhile, over 120,000 residents have been evacuated from the region, according to Russian officials. In neighbouring Belgorod, a state of emergency has been declared due to ongoing Ukrainian shelling. President Zelensky has also praised the military for successful strikes on Russian airfields, marking Ukraine’s largest attack yet. On Wednesday, Ukraine stated it carried out its largest long-range drone strike of the war on four Russian military airfields overnight. US President Joe Biden says the incursion has given Russian President Vladimir Putin a “real dilemma.”