Russian President Vladimir Putin has visited the Kursk border region for the first time since it was completely recaptured from Ukrainian forces, as announced by the Kremlin on Wednesday.
Putin rarely travels to front-line areas, and his trips to border regions are often kept secret until after he has returned.
During his visit on Tuesday, Putin met with the governor of the region, engaged with local volunteers, and inspected the site of a multi-billion-dollar nuclear power plant currently under construction.
Images broadcasted by the Rossiya 24 state news channel displayed a smiling Putin seated around a large table adorned with tea and sweets while interacting with local volunteers.
In a meeting with Governor Alexander Khinshtein, Putin called for an expansion of demining teams and promised continued monthly payments of approximately $800 to residents who have been forced to flee their homes.
“We will certainly support them,” Putin stated, acknowledging in a separate discussion that the economic situation in the region is “difficult.”
Ukraine launched a surprise incursion into the Kursk region in August 2024, seizing hundreds of square kilometers of territory in a significant military setback for the Kremlin.
In response, Russia deployed thousands of troops from its ally North Korea to mount a counterattack but did not regain full control of the region until April—nearly nine months later.
Kyiv had hoped that the land in the Kursk region would serve as a bargaining chip in future negotiations with Russia, which has seized and occupied roughly one-fifth of its territory.
Putin expressed that Ukraine continues its attacks on the border territory, stating, “Every day, the enemy attempts to cross the Russian state border,” according to the Kremlin chief.
