Ukraine dismisses Kursk’s report of losses as a “propaganda” trick.
Russia said its forces had completely recaptured the Kursk region eight months after Ukrainian military was hit by Russian territory in a shocking counterattack, but Ukrainian officials quickly refused the claim.
Russian military chief of staff, Gerasimov, made a declaration during a video conference with President Vladimir Putin on Saturday, saying that Russian troops had “liberated” Kursk’s last village under Ukrainian control.
“The Kiev administration’s adventures have completely failed,” Putin told Gerasimov.
The Ukrainian army immediately challenged the claim, saying its soldiers were still active in parts of Kursk.
“The statements by enemy leaders regarding the ‘defeat’ of the Ukrainian army are merely propaganda tricks,” said the Chief of Staff in the Ukrainian Telegram post.
However, he acknowledged that Ukrainian battlefield status on the territory where Russian forces have steadily profited in recent months is “difficult.”
Russian soldiers ride on a self-propelled gun in the area of Russia’s Kursk region after redoing it from the Ukrainian army on March 14th [Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP]
Kiev has sought to use Kursk’s land holdings as leverage for future peace negotiations with Russia, which seized southern and parts of the southern part of Ukraine since Putin ordered a full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Moscow praises the “hero” of the North Korean military
Announcing Russia’s advance, Gerasimov also pays tribute to the battle with the Russians, the first official recognition of Moscow’s role in the conflict.
He praised the “heroism” of North Korean soldiers in Kursk, saying that they “provided important support in defeating the Ukrainian military groups.”
More than 10,000 soldiers were sent to Russia last year from North Korea to help Moscow fight Ukrainian forces, according to the South Korean and Western intelligence agency.
Ukraine claims it has captured and interrogated some of the North Korean soldiers fighting on its territory.
Kursk’s recapture of Russia came when Ukrainian President Voldymi Zelensky discussed his efforts with President Donald Trump on the sidelines of Pope Francis’ funeral at the Vatican to reach a “complete and unconditional ceasefire.”
The Kremlin on Saturday also said Putin is ready to “restart negotiations with Ukraine without prerequisites.”
The Russian army is now on the border and is poised to strengthen the threat to the Smie region of Ukraine, which Moscow has invaded in recent weeks.
