Russia Asserts Total Control Over Kursk Amid Ukrainian Denials

In a recent video conference with President Vladimir Putin, Russian Army Chief Valery Gerasimov claimed that Russian forces have fully reclaimed the Kursk region, which had seen significant Ukrainian incursions. This assertion, however, has faced immediate denial from Ukraine's military leadership, who characterized the remarks as mere propaganda.

Gerasimov stated that the last remaining settlement in the Kursk region, the village of Gornal, has been liberated from Ukrainian forces, while Putin characterized Ukraine's military efforts as a complete failure. Despite these claims, Ukraine maintains that its troops continue to operate in Kursk and even expand their activities into the Belgorod region.

In a statement posted on Telegram, Ukraine's military acknowledged the challenging situation on the battlefield but emphasized that their positions have not been entirely lost. The claims come in the context of ongoing discussions regarding a potential peace deal, with U.S. President Donald Trump recently indicating that negotiations between Russia and Ukraine could be progressing towards a resolution.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been advocating for a full ceasefire as part of any agreement, despite facing pressure from Trump to make territorial concessions, which may include compromising on the contested Crimean peninsula. Since the onset of the current invasion in 2022, Russia has seized control of approximately 20% of Ukraine's internationally-recognized territory, raising concerns about the future of disputed regions including Kursk, now claimed to be under Russian control.

The dynamic in the region continues to evolve, with Russian troops reported to be positioned near Ukraine's Sumy region, adjacent to Kursk, indicating a possibly intense progression of military engagements in the near future.