The Ukrainian defense forces managed to distract the enemy's assault potential from Donetsk region, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said on Thursday, adding that around 40,000 Russian military were withdrawn for an operation in the Kursk region.

In his evening video address, the head of state said that on Thursday he heard reports by Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrsky and the Foreign Intelligence Service, as well as held meetings with Defense minister Rustem Umerov and Chief of the Security Service of Ukraine Vasyl Maliuk.

"We are forming the content for detailed and substantial talks with our partners. This refers to Donetsk region and other directions," he said.

"The defense forces of Ukraine have managed to reduce the occupiers' assault potential in Donetsk region. The situation is still extremely difficult, heavy fighting takes place every day on the Kurakhove and Pokrovsk axes. But we are doing the utmost for resilience of our combat brigades. And separately – the operation in the Kursk region. We have managed to distract around 40,000 Russian military to this direction," Zelenskyy said.

He also noted that "our active operations continue" in the Kursk region and Ukraine is replenishing the prisoner exchange fund.