Russia claimed to have fully recaptured the embattled Kursk region, eight months after Ukrainian forces launched a surprise counteroffensive into Russian territory.
However, Ukrainian officials swiftly rejected the assertion, describing it as a "propaganda trick."
Russian Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov made the announcement during a video conference with President Vladimir Putin, stating that Russian troops had "liberated" the last Ukrainian-held village of Gornal.
“The Kyiv regime’s adventure has completely failed,” Mr Putin told Mr Gerasimov during the briefing.
Ukraine’s military command, however, disputed Russia’s claim, insisting that Ukrainian troops were still operating in parts of Kursk.
"Statements by the enemy leadership about the 'defeat' of the Ukrainian troops are nothing more than propaganda tricks," Ukraine’s chief of staff said in a post on Telegram. Nevertheless, he acknowledged that battlefield conditions in Kursk remained "difficult" amid recent Russian advances.
The Ukrainian side had earlier sought to maintain its hold on parts of Kursk as potential leverage in any future peace negotiations. Kyiv has consistently pushed back against Russian efforts to consolidate gains in eastern and southern Ukraine, since the full-scale invasion ordered by Mr Putin in February 2022.
North Korean troops' involvement acknowledged
In a significant development, Mr Gerasimov also publicly acknowledged the role of North Korean troops in supporting Russian forces — marking the first official confirmation from Moscow.
He praised the “heroism” of North Korean soldiers in the fighting for Kursk, noting that they had "provided significant assistance" in overcoming Ukrainian resistance.
According to South Korean and Western intelligence, more than 10,000 North Korean soldiers were dispatched to Russia last year to bolster Moscow’s war effort. Ukrainian forces have claimed the capture and interrogation of several North Korean fighters on the battlefield.
Diplomatic efforts underway
The claimed Russian recapture of Kursk coincided with diplomatic engagements abroad, as Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reportedly discussed the prospects for a "full and unconditional ceasefire" with United States President Donald Trump. The meeting took place on the sidelines of Pope Francis’s funeral at the Vatican.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin reiterated on Saturday that President Putin remains willing to “resume negotiations with Ukraine without any preconditions.”
Tensions between the two countries remain high as both sides signal cautious interest in diplomacy while simultaneously preparing for further potential escalations on the battlefield.
