The Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, Valery Gerasimov, reported today to Russian President Vladimir Putin that his troops have taken full control of the Russian Kursk region from Ukrainian forces.
The Ukrainians invaded this border zone of Russia in August 2024, but they were already pushed back and only held a few pockets.
"Today, the last place on the territory of Kursk region, the village of Gornal, has been liberated from Ukrainian forces," Gerasimov said during a video meeting with Putin, broadcast on Russian state television.
Putin responded by saying that "the Kiev regime's adventure has completely failed."
Gerasimov also hailed the "courage" and "heroism" of North Korean fighters in what he claims is the complete recapture of Russia's Kursk region from Ukrainian forces.
"Soldiers and officers of the North Korean army, who fought alongside Russian soldiers, demonstrated great professionalism, resilience, courage and heroism in repelling the Ukrainian invasion," Gerasimov said in an address to Putin.
The Ukrainian military has rejected Moscow's claims that Russian forces have fully regained control of the Kursk region and said it is "continuing the operation" in border areas.
"The enemy's statement about the defeat of Ukrainian forces is a propaganda tactic and nothing more," the Ukrainian Chief of General Staff said.
"There is no danger of our troops being surrounded, but the situation is difficult," the statement added.
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