Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed that Ukraine is conducting a cross-border offensive into Russia's Kursk region, marking a significant escalation in the conflict. This operation aims to push the war into Russian territory, as Zelensky emphasized the necessity of applying pressure on the aggressor. Meanwhile, Russia has responded with intense artillery strikes, notably targeting Ukraine's Sumy region over the summer, resulting in nearly 2,000 attacks. In retaliation, Ukrainian military actions have reportedly resulted in significant casualties among Russian forces, causing civilian evacuations in the affected areas. The ongoing violence has led to tragic civilian casualties, including a recent missile strike in Donetsk that killed at least 10 people. Both sides are intensifying their military efforts, illustrating the conflict's deepening severity.