Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported on Sunday that Ukraine’s military continues to engage in combat in Russia’s Kursk region, despite Moscow’s assertions of having fully liberated the area. This development follows a period during which Kyiv had aimed to leverage the Kursk region as a bargaining chip for future peace negotiations, especially in light of significant territorial losses to Russia in the eastern and southern parts of Ukraine since the conflict escalated in February 2022.
Zelensky took to Telegram to confirm that Ukrainian forces were actively defending designated territories within the Kursk and Belgorod regions, asserting that the situation remained challenging. This comes on the heels of Russia’s claim that it had seized Gornal, the last settlement under Ukrainian control in the border region of Kursk, following Ukraine’s audacious offensive in August 2024.
In response to Moscow’s assertions, the Ukrainian military refuted claims of having been ousted, labeling Russia’s statements as “propaganda tricks.” Zelensky emphasized the need for renewed international pressure on Russia to facilitate genuine diplomatic discussions aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict.
These remarks coincided with Zelensky’s conversation with former US President Donald Trump regarding a potential ceasefire, held on the sidelines of Pope Francis’ funeral at the Vatican. During this meeting, Trump expressed skepticism about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s willingness to pursue peace, emphasizing the war’s devastating effects on eastern Ukraine, where countless lives have been lost.
Simultaneously, Russia initiated drone and missile strikes across various regions of eastern Ukraine, resulting in fatalities and injuries. In a notable acknowledgment, Russian Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov highlighted the contributions of North Korean soldiers involved in the Kursk campaign, admitting their participation for the first time.
Fighting reportedly persists in forested areas along the Russian-Ukrainian border, according to several military bloggers monitoring the conflict. A local Russian army commander confirmed that operations were ongoing in Kursk, as relayed through state television.
The conflict reached a critical juncture in August 2024 when Ukraine launched an extensive counter-offensive in Kursk—a historically significant battleground from World War II. This military campaign included the capture of vital infrastructure, specifically a pumping station that facilitated Russian gas transportation to Europe. However, Moscow has steadily regained the upper hand, pushing Ukrainian forces into defensive positions and reclaiming significant swathes of territory.
In March 2025, after the temporary withdrawal of crucial US intelligence support, Russia escalated its military operations, even employing covert tactics involving underground gas pipelines, as noted by analysts from the Institute for the Study of War. As Russia maintains control over approximately 20 percent of Ukrainian land, including Crimea, it appears poised to advance further into the four regions it claims to have annexed in 2022. Plans have emerged from Moscow to establish a “buffer zone” in Ukraine’s Sumy region, which borders Russia, further complicating the already dire geopolitical landscape.
