Ukraine has rejected Russian assertions that its forces have been pushed out of Russia’s Kursk region, insisting that its troops are still operating there despite facing significant pressure.
The denial comes after Russian military chief Valery Gerasimov announced that Moscow had regained full control of the Kursk region, eight months after Ukrainian forces launched a surprise incursion across the border. During a video conference with President Vladimir Putin on Saturday, Gerasimov said the village of Gornal — the last settlement under Ukrainian control — had been “liberated.”
Putin hailed Ukraine’s efforts as a “complete failure,” claiming the development would allow Russian forces to push forward on other fronts. Gerasimov also praised North Korean troops for their “significant assistance” in defeating Ukrainian forces, though Kyiv has not confirmed any North Korean involvement in the conflict.
In a response posted on Telegram, Ukraine’s military general staff acknowledged that the situation in the region was “difficult” but stressed that its forces remained active both in Kursk and in neighboring Belgorod, where they are continuing incursions. Ukrainian officials dismissed Russia’s claims as “propaganda tricks.”
Ukraine had initially launched its incursion into Kursk in August, aiming to create a buffer zone along the border to disrupt Russian troop deployments to Ukraine’s eastern front lines. However, in recent months, Ukrainian forces have been retreating under pressure from an estimated 70,000 Russian troops and heavy drone strikes.
The developments come amid renewed international attention on the war’s possible endgame. Former U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that Russia and Ukraine were “very close to a deal” after Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, held talks with Putin earlier this week. Trump also met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Vatican on Saturday during the funeral of Pope Francis.
Zelensky told the BBC he is seeking a “full and unconditional ceasefire” before any peace agreement is signed. However, Kyiv faces mounting pressure from Trump and others to consider territorial concessions, including potentially giving up Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014.
Ukraine had hoped its advances in Kursk would serve as leverage in any negotiations. But with Russia now claiming control and positioning forces along Ukraine’s Sumy border, Kyiv’s bargaining power may have taken a significant hit.
Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and currently occupies about 20% of Ukraine’s internationally recognized territory.
