Putin Declares Full Liberation of Kursk; Kyiv Regime ‘Completely Failed’

Russian forces have retaken control of the Kursk region in western Russia, according to an announcement made today (April 26, 2025) by Vladimir Putin. General Valery Gerasimov, Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, delivered a report to President Putin regarding military operations, highlighting the recapture of Kursk as a pivotal achievement. “The Kyiv regime has completely failed,” Putin stated emphatically. Notably, Gerasimov credited North Korean soldiers who participated in the offensive for their significant role. This marks a turning point after months of Ukrainian efforts to push into the region since last August, which had previously placed Putin under considerable pressure. In response to these developments, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had outlined the strategic objectives behind the August 2024 incursion into Kursk, aiming to relieve pressure on Donetsk and continue targeting Russian equipment and administrative systems.