Putin Acknowledges Ukrainian Troops in Russia’s Kursk Region: Kremlin Leader Speaks

Ukrainian forces persist in defending parts of Russia’s Kursk region. Despite assertions made by Russian military officials, the Russian Army hasn’t managed to repel the Ukrainian Armed Forces, as stated by Russian President Vladimir Putin through Russian media outlets.

At yet another propaganda event today, Putin reluctantly acknowledged that Ukrainian armed forces remain active in the Kursk region. Attempting to minimize their significance, he claimed that the area has ostensibly been “freed” of Ukrainian soldiers.

"Indeed, the adversary has been forced out of the Kursk area, yet they remain concealed in various crevices and cellars. We can overhear their conversations—they’re requesting an evacuation," stated the leader from the Kremlin.

He mentioned that he did not wish to delve into specifics about the operation in the Kursk area. Nonetheless, he stated that merely "scattered units" of Ukrainians were still present.

"Evacuation is not possible. There are small clusters of 2 to 3 individuals each, scattered throughout the forest and entirely disconnected. Additionally, these groups have been urged to capitulate," Putin stated.

Circumstances in the Kursk area

Recently, Russian Armed Forces Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov informed President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin about the completion of the mission to supposedly liberate the Kursk area. He stated that according to their reports, Russian troops took control of the final stronghold in this region—the village of Gornal, close to the Ukrainian border—on April 26th.

Significantly, this remark comes as the Ukrainian Armed Forces continue to hold sway over numerous square kilometers in the area.

Putin subsequently declared the alleged "total defeat of the adversary in the Kursk frontier region" as well.

The following day, however, the acting commander of the 810th Marine Infantry Brigade of the Russian Navy, known as the Groza group, informed Putin that there were still Ukrainian troops and individual soldiers located in the Kursk area.

In the meantime, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces stated that Ukrainian forces continue their defensive operations in the Kursk area, whereas the Kremlin is "portraying the preferred narrative as fact."

President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that the Ukrainian Armed Forces are continuing their active defense operations in the Kursk area.