Ukraine denies Russian claims of ending hostilities in Kursk Region

Ukrainian forces continue active operations on Russian territory in the Kursk region, contradicting recent claims by Russian officials that hostilities in the area have ended. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine issued a statement on Wednesday dismissing Moscow’s assertions as false.

“The statements made by representatives of the aggressor state about the supposed end of hostilities in the Kursk region of the Russian Federation do not correspond to the real situation,” the statement reads.

According to the Ukrainian military, defense units are maintaining positions and continuing operations in specific border areas of the Kursk region, despite difficult conditions. “Ukrainian defenders are fulfilling their objectives and effectively repelling the enemy,” the General Staff added.

Since the launch of the Kursk operation on August 6, 2024—the first major military campaign carried out by Ukraine on Russian soil during the 11-year war—Ukraine claims to have inflicted heavy losses on Russian forces. According to official figures, Russia has lost a total of 63,402 personnel in the area, including 25,625 killed and 971 taken prisoner. Additionally, 5,664 units of Russian weaponry and military equipment have been destroyed or damaged.

The General Staff also noted that Ukrainian forces remain active in certain areas of Russia’s Belgorod region, where cross-border operations continue.

At the peak of the campaign, Ukrainian forces reportedly controlled up to 1,300 square kilometers of territory in the Kursk region. However, Russian forces launched a counteroffensive, deploying an estimated 12,000 North Korean troops to the area.

Of the total Russian casualties in the Kursk campaign, approximately 4,000 are believed to be North Korean soldiers.

In late April 2025, Russian authorities declared the Kursk region had been "liberated" and that fighting there had ceased. However, Ukrainian military officials have firmly denied those reports, insisting that the operation remains ongoing.