Russia announced on Wednesday that its forces had fully regained control of the border region of Kursk, prompting Ukrainian officials to claim that fighting still continues in parts of this area.
Russia’s Ministry of Defense issued a statement asserting that all necessary operations to eliminate enemy forces have been completed successfully in Kursk, an area plagued with increased clashes over recent weeks. They announced the area has been fully stabilized and now reconstruction and security operations have commenced in Kursk.
“Our forces have successfully restored full control over the Kursk region, securing its borders and repelling any hostile threats,” read the Ministry’s statement. Russian media broadcast images showing soldiers raising flags and clearing debris from damaged infrastructure.
Ukraine military officials disagreed with Moscow’s claims, noting that special units and artillery units from their army remain active near the border districts. A Ukrainian army spokesperson spoke out in local media, asserting: “Heavy fighting is continuing. Russian forces have not secured complete control, while our operations continue and resistance remains strong.
Independent sources on the ground have also reported hearing artillery fire and witnessing military activity near some parts of the region, which indicates that it remains fluid.
Kursk, located close to the Russian-Ukrainian border, has become an area of increasing strategic significance as the war drags into its third year. Ukrainian forces had conducted cross-border raids and drone attacks in Kursk recently, prompting strong Russian military responses in response.
Analysts speculate that Russia’s swift declaration of victory may be intended to boost domestic morale and demonstrate progress after months of setbacks on other fronts. “Symbolic victories, even small ones,” noted one European security expert, are of crucial importance right now for the Kremlin.
Kyiv has intensified its counteroffensive strategies, emphasizing that no Russian gains will go uncontested. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently reiterated this promise and pledged that Ukrainian forces would continue defending their territories and pressuring Russian forces wherever necessary.
Conflicting claims shed light on the difficulty of verifying battlefield realities during a war characterized by propaganda and information warfare on both sides. At present, it remains uncertain when or if one side will establish lasting control over contested border regions.
International observers have called for restraint to prevent further escalation and warned that fighting in border regions risks drawing additional regions deeper into the conflict.