Russia regains full control over Kursk region

Putin visited a military command post in the Kursk region in March, announcing that the Russian military had regained control of the area. It was his first visit to the region since the Ukrainian offensive began on August 6 last year, and he held a meeting with the military leadership.

The Russian army launched a large-scale offensive, retaking territory held by Ukrainian forces. The city of Sudzha was a key strategic center for Ukraine. However, it is now under the control of Russian troops. Putin said that Ukrainian troops in the Kursk region were "completely surrounded," leaving them with the choice of surrendering or being killed.

Putin also stressed: "Our main task is to crush the enemy as quickly as possible and stop the military operations in the Kursk region. The situation in the region is now under our full control," expressing confidence in capturing the entire region soon.

On August 6, 2024, Ukrainian troops attacked the Kursk region, breaking through Russian defenses. They managed to capture 1,300 square kilometers of territory and establish a strong defensive line.

But by January, the situation had changed dramatically. Russia had mobilized large forces in the Kursk direction and by March 8 of that year had forced the opposing forces to retreat. By mid-March, the Ukrainian army had managed to hold only 80 square kilometers of the 1,300 square kilometers of territory it had occupied in the Kursk region.