The Russian army has declared the full liberation of the Kursk region from Ukrainian forces, with Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov acknowledging the involvement of North Korean soldiers in the operation for the first time. Gerasimov commended the “heroism” of the North Korean troops, stating they provided critical support in defeating Ukrainian forces.
Despite these claims, the Ukrainian army dismissed the assertions, labeling them as propaganda. A representative from Kyiv emphasized that reports of their forces’ defeat are misleading, asserting that Ukrainian troops are still holding their positions in Kursk. The Ukrainian Chief of Staff noted that while the battlefield remains “difficult,” their operations are expanding into nearby Belgorod.
Intelligence sources from South Korea and the West report that over 10,000 North Korean soldiers were deployed to Russia last year to assist in the conflict against Ukraine, particularly during the significant offensive in the Kursk area. Ukraine had aimed to leverage this region as a strategic bargaining tool in potential peace negotiations with Russia, which has occupied parts of eastern and southern Ukraine since the conflict escalated in 2022.
During a video conference, Gerasimov informed President Vladimir Putin that the last settlement in Kursk, the village of Gornal, had been reclaimed from Ukrainian control. Putin expressed gratitude to the soldiers involved, asserting that the successful campaign in Kursk would facilitate further military advancements along the front lines.
The announcement of Kursk’s claimed recapture coincided with discussions between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump concerning efforts to establish a “full and unconditional ceasefire.” These conversations took place during an event at the Vatican, highlighting the ongoing international implications of the conflict.
Currently, Russian troops have positioned themselves at the border, raising concerns about potential escalated threats to the Ukrainian region of Sumy, located adjacent to Kursk, where incursions have already been noted in recent weeks.
