ROME — Russia’s top military commander claimed Saturday that Ukrainian forces had been completely expelled from the Kursk region, an assertion immediately rejected by Kyiv as fierce battles continued along the contested border.
In a high-profile meeting at the Kremlin, Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov briefed President Vladimir Putin on what he described as a major Russian success in Kursk. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed the exchange to state media outlet Interfax.
Putin congratulated the Russian military, declaring Ukraine’s border incursion a “complete failure.” He further claimed the operation paved the way for “further successes” across key fronts.
However, Ukraine’s military command dismissed the statement as false. In a counter-statement, Ukraine’s General Staff said defensive operations in Kursk were ongoing under “difficult operational conditions,” with Ukrainian units holding their positions and inflicting heavy losses through active defense tactics.
The Kursk region has been a flashpoint since Ukrainian forces launched a surprise offensive in August 2024, briefly seizing over 1,300 square kilometers (500 square miles) of Russian territory. Despite initial gains, Ukrainian control has steadily eroded amid Russian counterattacks in early 2025.
Adding to the controversy, Gerasimov confirmed for the first time that North Korean troops had been deployed alongside Russian forces during the battles in Kursk. He praised the North Koreans for their “courage and professionalism” in combat.
Western intelligence agencies had previously reported that Pyongyang had sent between 10,000 and 12,000 soldiers to support Moscow — a claim Russia and North Korea had only vaguely addressed until now.
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts to end the three-year war are gaining momentum. On the sidelines of Pope Francis’ funeral in Vatican City, U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a brief but “constructive” 15-minute meeting inside St. Peter’s Basilica, according to Ukrainian officials.
Though a second meeting was initially scheduled, tight schedules prevented further discussions. Nevertheless, both sides reportedly expressed readiness to move quickly toward a peace agreement.
Trump, who has advocated for direct, high-level talks between Russia and Ukraine, sent his envoy Steve Witkoff to meet Putin in Rome earlier this week. Trump initially expressed optimism, claiming the two sides were “very close” to a deal.
However, Trump’s tone shifted sharply on Saturday, suggesting distrust toward Putin’s intentions. “Too many people are dying!!!” he posted on Truth Social, criticizing recent Russian missile strikes on civilian areas.
Overnight, Russian attacks killed three people in Ukraine. Two deaths were reported in the eastern town of Yarova, while a third fatality occurred in the Dnipropetrovsk region. Ukrainian air defenses reported intercepting 66 drones and multiple missiles amid another intense bombardment.
Simultaneously, Russia claimed to have downed 45 Ukrainian drones overnight.
While in Rome, Zelenskyy also held separate meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and newly elected British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, reinforcing Ukraine’s diplomatic outreach to Western allies as the battlefield and peace talks evolve.
