Russia announced on Saturday that its forces have fully recaptured the Kursk region, eight months after Ukraine’s surprise incursion. The declaration was made during a video conference between President Vladimir Putin and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov, who stated that the last Ukrainian-held village, Gornal, had been “liberated.”

President Putin hailed the operation as a complete failure for Kyiv, asserting that the Ukrainian offensive had been entirely repelled.

However, Ukrainian military officials refuted Russia’s claims, asserting that their forces remain active in parts of the Kursk region. Ukraine’s chief of staff described the Russian statements as “propaganda tricks,” acknowledging that while the situation is challenging, Ukrainian troops continue to hold positions and conduct operations in the area.

Notably, Russia officially acknowledged for the first time the involvement of North Korean troops in the conflict. Gerasimov commended the “heroism” of North Korean soldiers who fought alongside Russian forces in Kursk. According to South Korean and Western intelligence, over 10,000 North Korean troops were deployed to assist Russia. Ukraine claims to have captured and interrogated several of these foreign fighters.

The announcement coincided with a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump at the Vatican, where they discussed efforts to achieve a “full and unconditional ceasefire.” The Kremlin also indicated President Putin’s readiness to resume negotiations with Ukraine without preconditions.

Despite these diplomatic overtures, the situation on the ground remains volatile. Russian forces are now positioned along the border, heightening threats to Ukraine’s Sumy region, where Moscow has conducted recent incursions.

Source: Al Jazeera