Russian President Vladimit Putin (R) with his North Korean counterpart Kim Jong-un
Photo : AP
“Kursk region is fully liberated from Ukrainian troops after the last habitation of Gornal was liberated this morning,” Gerasimov told Putin, reported Associated Press. Russia had previously said that Ukrainian forces had captured parts of the Kursk region in August 2024, a claim denied by Kyiv, the report added.
“Soldiers and officers of the Korean People’s Army, performing combat missions shoulder to shoulder with Russian servicemen, demonstrated high professionalism during the repelling of the Ukrainian invasion, demonstrated fortitude, courage and heroism in the battle,” TASS quoted Gen Gerasimov as saying, as per AP.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova also thanked the North Koreans for standing by Russia, and said, “The Russian side will never forget its friends from the DPRK”.
Earlier, reports said that the US and South Korea believed the North had sent over 11,000 troops to the front lines in Ukraine since last October, backing Moscow. This was after Putin and his North Korean counterpart Kim Jong-un met and signed a partnership treaty in June, committing to provide military support “without delay”.
Reacting to this, Ukrainian officials denied Russia’s claim about the Kursk region.
“The statements of representatives of the high command of the aggressor country about the alleged end of hostilities in the Kursk region of the Russian Federation are not true,” Ukraine’s General Staff said Saturday, reported AP.
“The defensive operation of the Ukrainian Defence Forces in certain areas in the Kursk region continues. The operational situation is difficult, but our units continue to hold designated positions and carry out assigned tasks, while inflicting effective fire damage on the enemy with all types of weapons, including using active defense tactics,” the statement read.
Trump, who has been critical of Ukraine, said after the meeting that he doubts Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to end the war in Ukraine. Previously, he had blamed Ukraine for starting the war and stretching it beyond a point.
However, in a change to tone after meeting Zelenskyy, he said, “There was no reason for Putin to be shooting missiles into civilian areas, cities and towns, over the last few days.”
“It makes me think that maybe he doesn’t want to stop the war, he’s just tapping me along, and has to be dealt with differently, through ‘Banking’ or ‘Secondary Sanctions?’ Too many people are dying!!!” he said in TruthSocial post.