MOSCOW – The Kremlin today announced that Russian forces have regained complete control over the entirety of the Kursk border region, which had been partially held by Ukrainian troops since a surprise incursion last August. The claim, delivered by Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov to President Vladimir Putin in a televised conference, included the official acknowledgement of North Korean troops fighting alongside Russian forces in the operation.
Gerasimov stated that the “last settlement” in the Kursk region, the village of Gornal, had been “liberated” from Ukrainian control. He lauded the “heroism” of North Korean soldiers, claiming they “provided significant assistance in defeating the group of Ukrainian armed forces.” This marks the first official confirmation from Moscow of the long-suspected involvement of North Korean troops in the conflict, a claim previously made by Kyiv and Western intelligence agencies.
President Putin, in response, congratulated the Russian soldiers and commanders, declaring that “the Kyiv regime’s adventure has completely failed” and that the recapture of Kursk would create favorable conditions for further advances in other areas of the front.
Kyiv Refutes Moscow’s Assertion:
However, Ukraine has vehemently denied Russia’s claim of full control. In a swift response posted on Telegram, the Ukrainian General Staff dismissed Moscow’s statements as “nothing more than propaganda tricks.” While acknowledging that the battlefield situation in Kursk remains “difficult,” Ukrainian military officials insisted that their forces continue to hold certain positions and are actively engaged in defensive operations.
“The statements by the enemy leadership about the ‘defeat’ of the Ukrainian troops do not correspond to reality,” the Ukrainian General Staff asserted. They further claimed that Ukrainian forces had repelled multiple Russian ground assaults in the Kursk area on Saturday, with ongoing clashes reported.
Military sources in Kyiv corroborated this, stating that Ukrainian units continue to operate in designated areas of the Kursk region and that there is no threat of encirclement.
Image source: Wikimedia Commons
North Korean Involvement Confirmed:
Despite the conflicting claims regarding territorial control, General Gerasimov’s explicit acknowledgement of North Korean troop participation is a significant development. He stated that North Korean soldiers fought “shoulder to shoulder” with Russian servicemen, demonstrating “high professionalism, fortitude, courage and heroism in battle.”
Previous reports from Kyiv, Seoul, and Western intelligence suggested that Russia had deployed thousands of North Korean troops to the Kursk region starting late last year. However, this is the first time Moscow has publicly confirmed their presence and active involvement in combat operations.
Strategic Implications and Diplomatic Backdrop:
Ukraine’s incursion into Russia’s Kursk region in August 2024 was a bold move, marking the first large-scale invasion of Russian territory by foreign forces since World War II. Kyiv’s strategic aims were believed to include disrupting planned Russian offensives and potentially leveraging the captured territory in future peace negotiations.
The claimed recapture of Kursk by Russia comes at a delicate diplomatic juncture. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump reportedly discussed efforts towards a “full and unconditional ceasefire” on the sidelines of Pope Francis’s funeral at the Vatican. The situation on the ground, particularly the contested control of border regions like Kursk, will likely be a key point of contention in any future negotiations.
As both sides present conflicting narratives, the true extent of Russian control over Kursk remains unclear. However, the Kremlin’s assertion, coupled with the впервые admitted role of North Korean troops, signals a potential shift in the dynamics of this protracted conflict. The international community will be closely monitoring the situation on the ground to ascertain the reality behind the competing claims.