Russia’s forces have recaptured the last village held by Ukraine in the Kursk region, according to Gen. Valery Gerasimov, chief of the general staff. However, Ukrainian officials deny that their campaign has come to an end, saying the military operation remains ongoing.
Gen. Gerasimov reported to President Vladimir Putin that Russian forces have completed the defeat of Ukrainian armed forces in the Kursk region. The claim comes six weeks after Russia’s forces retook most of the territory Ukraine had been holding since a surprise offensive last summer.
Ukrainian General Staff stated, “The operational situation is difficult, but our units continue to hold their positions.” They disputed Russia’s claims, saying no Ukrainian troops have withdrawn from the region.
The expulsion of Ukrainian troops from the Kursk region could impact peace talks led by President Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff. Ukraine’s invasion of the area was a major embarrassment for Moscow and led to intense clashes between the two sides.
Russia had previously said that any negotiations would require Ukraine to withdraw its forces from Russian territory. However, North Korean troops were reportedly involved in driving Ukrainian forces out of the region. The involvement of North Korean troops was first confirmed by Russia’s General Gerasimov.
The loss of land in the Kursk region has been significant for Ukraine, with the country originally controlling around 500 square miles of Russian territory. Despite this, negotiations to end the war have been hindered by the ongoing conflict.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/26/world/europe/russia-kursk-ukraine.html