Russia Claims ‘Full Liberation’ Of Kursk Region With North Korean Troops’ Support; Ukraine Says ‘Not True’
Russia on Saturday declared the 'full liberation' of the western Kursk region from Ukrainian forces and praised the role of North Korean troops in the operation. Parts of the Kursk region had been captured by Ukrainian forces during an incursion in August 2024. However, Ukraine has firmly denied Moscow’s claims, asserting that fighting is still ongoing.
Briefing President Vladimir Putin, Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, General Valery Gerasimov, said, “Kursk region is fully liberated from Ukrainian troops after the last habitation of Gornal was liberated this morning,” according to a TASS report.
General Gerasimov further lauded the North Korean troops, stating, “Soldiers and officers of the Korean People’s Army, performing combat missions shoulder to shoulder with Russian servicemen, demonstrated high professionalism during the repelling of the Ukrainian invasion, demonstrated fortitude, courage and heroism in the battle.”
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova also expressed gratitude to North Korea, saying, “The Russian side will never forget its friends from the DPRK.”
According to PTI, Ukraine had launched an offensive across the border in August 2024, seizing approximately 1,300 square kilometres of land in the Kursk region with the intent of using it as a bargaining chip in future negotiations. Ukrainian forces, despite being backed by NATO arms and mercenaries, were unable to capture the regional Atomic Power Plant. Kiev reportedly sought control over the gas export terminal at Sudzha but did not succeed.
Ukraine Denies Russia's Claim Over Kursk Oblast
The Kyiv Independent reported that Ukraine’s General Staff has denied Russia’s claim, asserting that “Ukrainian defensive operations in certain areas of Kursk Oblast continue.” The statement added, “The situation is difficult, but our units continue to hold certain positions and carry out tasks as assigned,” noting there is no threat of encirclement. Ukrainian forces reportedly repelled five Russian ground assaults in the area on April 26, with another clash still ongoing.
Ukraine’s General Staff further remarked, “The statements of representatives of the high command of the aggressor country about the alleged end of hostilities in the Kursk region of the Russian Federation are not true,” according to AP.
Russia's First Public Acknowledgement Of North Korean Troops In Ukraine War
In a significant development, Russian General Gerasimov, for the first time, publicly acknowledged the participation of North Korean troops in the campaign, praising their “fortitude and heroism.” Both Kyiv and Seoul had earlier claimed that North Korea had dispatched around 11,000 troops to Kursk Oblast, although Moscow had not officially confirmed this until now.
Ukraine’s incursion into the Kursk region marked the first large-scale invasion of Russian territory by foreign forces since World War II, aimed at disrupting a planned Russian offensive on neighbouring Sumy Oblast and drawing forces away from the embattled Donbas region.
The development comes amid ongoing diplomatic efforts, with US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy 'private' meeting in Vatican City on the sidelines of the pope’s funeral to discuss a potential ceasefire deal.
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