Ukraine’s defense chief, Oleksiy Reznikov, stated in an interview with a German media group that Kyiv does not seek to seize Russian territory and that it hopes to maintain constructive relations with Moscow. The emphasis he made was clear: Ukraine is not pursuing a land grab as part of any counteroffensive. Instead, he underscored that Kyiv wants to cultivate the same level of diplomatic ties with Russia as it does with neighboring states such as Poland, Slovakia, and Romania. This perspective highlights a preference for stable, predictable engagement rather than territorial expansion, even in the context of ongoing tension and conflict in the region.
When pressed about the possibility of Ukraine launching attacks inside Russian territory during a broader counterstrike, Reznikov reiterated the stance that there is no intention to gain land. He framed the conversation around strategic aims and regional security rather than conquest, suggesting that Ukraine seeks to address perceived threats through political and military avenues that do not involve annexation or occupation of Russian soil.
Reznikov also discussed Kyiv’s vision of neighborly relations with Russia, describing it as a priority that would mirror Moscow’s ties with other European neighbors. The remarks imply a desire for coexistence and functional communication channels, even as the broader conflict continues to shape the security landscape for both countries and their citizens.
On the topic of cross-border incidents, Reznikov did not provide a direct account of specific operations in the Belgorod region. He noted that Kyiv was actively pursuing its plans on the battlefield, while attributing part of the border-area bombardments to Russian actions and the involvement of Russian-backed forces supporting Kyiv’s adversaries. The exchange reflected the Fog of war that surrounds such events, where details can evolve rapidly and official narratives may evolve with new developments.
In a separate development, Kyiv confirmed that drones were used in an operation against the Moscow area on a day in late May. The incident underscored the ongoing aerial dimension of the conflict and the continued vulnerability of major urban centers to contested air activity. The broader pattern in recent years has included repeated border incidents and cross-border strikes, underscoring the volatile security situation along the Russian-Ukrainian frontier and the persistent risk of escalation on multiple fronts.