Russia Claims Full Control Over Kursk Region Amidst Disputed Ukrainian Presence

Russia has announced that all Ukrainian troops have been driven out of the Kursk region, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov. This statement follows an update from General Valery Gerasimov, Chief of the General Staff for Russia’s Armed Forces, to President Vladimir Putin, confirming that Russian forces had regained control of the area, which had been contested by Ukrainian forces.

However, Ukrainian officials have contested Russia’s claim, asserting that their forces are still actively resisting Russian advances in the region. Ukraine’s General Staff maintained that Russian troops had not succeeded in fully dislodging them, and that they continued to defend their positions in the Kursk sector.

President Putin congratulated Russian forces on their success, claiming that Ukraine’s military incursion had “completely failed,” and heralded the achievement as a step toward further successes for Russian troops along the front lines.

The Kursk region had been a focal point in the ongoing conflict, with Ukraine launching a surprise attack in August 2024, seizing approximately 1,300 square kilometers (500 square miles) of Russian territory. Despite initial gains, Ukraine’s hold on the region weakened throughout 2025 as Russian forces slowly regained control.

In another significant development, General Gerasimov confirmed the involvement of North Korean soldiers in combat operations against Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region. These soldiers had been deployed to Russia in late 2024, and reports suggest they fought alongside Russian troops, demonstrating “high professionalism and courage.” While the presence of North Korean troops had previously been vague, Russia and North Korea emphasized that their military cooperation was in line with international law.

This news coincides with a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Vatican City, where the two leaders discussed a potential ceasefire. The meeting occurred amid escalating attacks in Ukraine, where Russian strikes resulted in at least three civilian deaths and several injuries.

Meanwhile, Russia continued its offensive, launching missiles and drones overnight, while Ukrainian air defenses claimed to have shot down 45 Russian drones in retaliation. The situation in Ukraine remains volatile, with both sides continuing to exchange fire along various fronts.

The ongoing developments have intensified calls for diplomatic efforts to end the war, with President Trump suggesting the possibility of high-level negotiations to bring the three-year conflict to a close.