Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced that his troops’ recent incursion into Russia’s Kursk region is part of a “victory plan” he will present to US President Joe Biden next month.

Zelensky stated that the plan’s success hinges on whether the US will support it and allow Ukraine to fully utilize it. He also plans to share the plan with US presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.

In early August, Ukrainian forces entered Russia’s Kursk region, and Russia has yet to effectively counter this move.

Ukraine’s top military commander, Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi, mentioned that Ukraine controls 1,294 square kilometers (500 square miles) of Russian territory and 100 settlements, though these figures have not been independently verified.

Gen Syrskyi indicated that Ukraine does not intend to retain this territory but aims to divert Russian forces from their eastern Ukrainian offensive targeting the town of Pokrovsk.

President Zelensky also announced Ukraine’s successful test of a domestically-produced ballistic missile, though he provided no further details.

While Ukraine has previously used US-supplied ballistic missiles, it is working on reducing its reliance on Western aid by producing its own military equipment. Currently, Ukraine relies heavily on international military supplies and has used newly arrived F-16 fighter jets to intercept Russian missiles. Zelensky emphasized the need for additional jets.

Recent Russian drone and missile attacks have caused casualties and blackouts in Ukraine, underscoring Russia’s continued aggression.

Zelensky criticized Russia’s lack of willingness to engage in peace talks, highlighting that ongoing attacks undermine any potential for negotiation. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that discussions of negotiations are no longer relevant.