The Kremlin announced that the Russian army had successfully pushed all Ukrainian troops out of the Kursk region, ending a months-long presence of Ukrainian forces on Russian territory. This event represents a major turning point in the ongoing war in Ukraine and could have far-reaching implications for the future course of the conflict.

Strategic importance of the Kursk region

The Kursk region, located in western Russia near the border with Ukraine, has become one of the key battlegrounds after Ukrainian forces launched a surprise offensive in the summer of 2024, seizing part of the territory. The move was seen at the time as an attempt by Ukraine to demonstrate its ability to fight on Russian territory as well as to draw Russian forces away from the eastern front. The capture of Kursk was also symbolic - it was Ukraine's first major territorial gain on Russian territory since the start of the war in 2022.

But according to a Kremlin statement today, the Russian army has regained full control of the area after intense fighting that lasted several weeks. The Russian defence ministry said the operation was carried out with minimal civilian casualties, but this could not be independently verified. On the other hand, the Ukrainian side has not yet officially responded, but some military analysts suggest that the retreat may have been tactical so that Ukrainian troops could regroup and focus on defending key positions in the Donbas.

International reactions and Trump's meeting with Zelensky

The news of Russia's success in Kursk comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with US President Donald Trump in Rome. The meeting, the first since their public spat at the White House earlier this year, was held under the auspices of the Vatican and focused on finding ways to peace talks. According to information published by Czech media, the two leaders agreed on the need to continue diplomatic efforts, but the loss of Kursk may weaken Zelensky's position in these talks.

During the fighting in the Kursk region, civilian infrastructure, including schools, hospitals and residential buildings, suffered significant damage. Humanitarian organisations report that thousands of residents have been forced to flee their homes, and warn of a worsening situation as spring approaches, when refugees may be exposed to harsh conditions. International calls for safe corridors for civilians have so far gone unheeded.

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