Zelensky says Ukraine aims to create buffer zone inside Russia

A video statement from a representative of Russia's Investigative Committee was posted on Russian state TV anchor Vladimir Solovyov's Telegram channel on Monday, according to Reuters news agency.

It comes a day after Ukraine said it had destroyed a second strategic bridge in a week, as Kyiv continues its incursion into Russia territory.

We're starting to hear reports that Ukraine has struck and damaged a third bridge over the river Seym in Russia's Kursk region.

Over the last couple of days, Kyiv said it had destroyed two key bridges over the river as it continues its incursion into Russian territory.

On Sunday, the Ukrainian military released aerial footage of a strike on a bridge that was reportedly over the river Seym in Zvannoe.

"Minus one more bridge," a Ukrainian Air Force commander posted on social media.

Video of the strike shows a large cloud of smoke over the bridge and one of its sections appears to be destroyed. It is not clear when the strike took place.

And on Friday, Ukraine destroyed a strategic bridge over the same river, this time close to the town of Glushkovo.

Both bridges were reportedly used by the Kremlin to supply its troops.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said establishing a buffer zone on Russian territory would be part of Ukraine’s defence strategy going forwards.

Speaking on Sunday, he praised his troops for taking part in the offensive in Russia's Kursk region, saying they had achieved “much-needed results in destroying Russian equipment".

Zelensky said these results are "more than just defence for Ukraine", as destroying "as much Russian war potential as possible" is one of Kyiv's primary tasks in defensive operations.

He added that creating a buffer zone inside Russian territory would support Ukrainian troops in conducting "maximum counteroffensive actions" - the zone would also suggest a more permanent presence in Russia’s Kursk region.

“Everything that inflicts losses on the Russian army, Russian state, their military-industrial complex, and their economy helps prevent the war from expanding and brings us closer to a just end to this aggression – a just peace for Ukraine,” Zelensky went on to say.

We're turning our attention back to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, as Kyiv continues its incursion in Russia's Kursk region.

Over the weekend, we learned that Ukraine's advance into Russia might become more permanent as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the establishment of a buffer zone in the area would become part of Ukraine's defence strategy.

It comes as Ukraine continues to cement its incursion into Russian territory, as it destroyed two bridges - one of which was reportedly used by the Kremlin to send supplies to its troops.

At the same time, Russian troops are heading further west in Ukraine, toward the strategically significant town of Pokrovsk, with Ukraine's deputy prime minister urging residents in the region and nearby cities to evacuate amid Russia's continuing advance.

Alongside my colleagues Barbara Tasch and Thomas Copeland here in London, we'll be bringing you the latest news and analysis. Stick with us.

-BBC