Russia said its forces have completely recaptured the embattled Kursk region, eight months after Ukraine’s military stormed into the Russian territory in a surprise counteroffensive, but Ukrainian officials quickly rejected the claim.
Russia’s military Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov made the declaration during a video conference with President Vladimir Putin Saturday, saying Russian troops had “liberated” the last village in Kursk under Ukrainian control: Gornal.
“The Kyiv regime’s adventure has completely failed,” Putin told Gerasimov.
Ukraine’s military immediately disputed the claim, saying its soldiers are still operating in parts of Kursk.
“Statements by the enemy leadership about the ‘defeat’ of the Ukrainian troops are nothing more than propaganda tricks,” said Ukraine’s chief of staff in a post on Telegram.
However, he acknowledged Ukraine’s battlefield position in the territory – where Russian forces have made steady gains in recent months – is “difficult”.
Kyiv has sought to use its hold on land in Kursk as leverage in future peace talks with Russia, which has seized parts of eastern and southern Ukraine since Putin ordered the full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Announcing the Russian advance, Gerasimov also paid tribute to North Korean troops fighting alongside Russians – the first official acknowledgement by Moscow of their role in the conflict.
He praised the “heroism” of North Korean soldiers in Kursk, saying they “provided significant assistance in defeating the group of Ukrainian armed forces”.
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