Russia has announced the complete liberation of the Kursk region, located on the border with Ukraine, after reportedly pushing out the last Ukrainian units from the area. Russian Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov stated that the final Ukrainian-held locality, the village of Gornal, was retaken during a meeting with President Vladimir Putin on April 26, 2025.
President Vladimir Putin personally congratulated the commander-in-chief and the leaders of the units that distinguished themselves during the operation. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed the news.
“President Putin congratulated them on their victory and thanked them for their heroic work,” Peskov said.
On Saturday, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported that “Russian forces have completed the defeat of Ukrainian formations along the Kursk axis. The remnants of enemy units have been driven beyond the state border.” The ministry emphasized that the Russian army’s Northern Group liberated the final locality in the region, Gornal.
Commenting on Gerasimov’s report, President Putin declared that the “Kiev regime’s venture has completely failed” and that “the adversary has suffered massive losses.”
However, this announcement is being disputed by the Ukrainian army, which maintains that its forces continue to operate in parts of the Kursk region, holding positions and carrying out defensive operations despite challenging conditions. The Ukrainian General Staff dismissed the Russian claims as “false” and “propaganda,” emphasizing that scattered Ukrainian military groups remain active in the area.