Russia has announced that its forces have fully retaken the Kursk region, a significant development eight months after Ukraine launched a surprise counteroffensive into Russian territory. This claim was made by Russia’s military Chief of Staff, Valery Gerasimov, during a video call with President Vladimir Putin. Gerasimov stated that Russian troops had “liberated” the last Ukrainian-held village in Kursk, called Gornal.
However, Ukrainian officials quickly disputed this assertion. They insist that their forces are still active in parts of the Kursk region, labeling Russia’s claims as mere propaganda. Ukraine’s chief of staff said that while the situation is challenging for their troops, they continue to operate in the area.
Putin echoed Gerasimov’s sentiments, declaring that the Ukrainian military’s efforts had completely failed. Despite the Russian claims, the Ukrainian military acknowledged that their position in Kursk has become increasingly difficult as Russian forces have made steady advances in recent months.
In a related development, Gerasimov praised North Korean troops for their assistance in the conflict, marking the first official acknowledgment of their involvement by Moscow. He commended the “heroism” of these soldiers, stating they played a significant role in the recent military successes against Ukrainian forces. Reports suggest that over 10,000 North Korean soldiers were sent to Russia last year to aid in the fight.
This announcement from Russia comes as Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is engaged in discussions about a potential ceasefire with U.S. President Donald Trump. The Kremlin also indicated that Putin is willing to resume negotiations with Ukraine without any preconditions.
Currently, Russian troops are positioned at the border and are expected to increase threats to the Ukrainian region of Sumy, where incursions have been reported in recent weeks. This situation continues to evolve as both sides navigate the complexities of the ongoing conflict.