• Russia claims it has completely regained control of the Kursk region from Ukrainian forces.
• Ukrainian officials deny the claims, asserting their troops are still active in parts of Kursk.
• North Korean soldiers reportedly assisted Russian forces during the campaign.
• President Putin said Ukraine's offensive has "completely failed" and facilitated Russian advances.
• Negotiations for peace talks are ongoing, with discussions involving U.S. President Donald Trump.

The Kremlin has announced that Russian forces have "liberated" the Kursk region from Ukrainian control, with the last village, Gornal, reportedly retaken. Chief of the Russian General Staff Valery Gerasimov briefed President Vladimir Putin on the operation’s completion, describing the Ukrainian advance as unsuccessful and the failure of their strategic objectives, including leveraging territory for future negotiations, according to aa and cbsnews.

Ukrainian officials have contested the Russian claims, indicating that their military operations in parts of the Kursk region are still ongoing. The Ukrainian military characterized Russia's statements as "propaganda tricks," maintaining that they continue to hold positions despite the "difficult" battlefield situation, according to bbc and abcnews.

Gerasimov specifically acknowledged for the first time the involvement of North Korean troops in the operation, praising their "heroism" and contribution to Russian military successes in Kursk. This involvement aligns with reports from intelligence agencies suggesting that between 10,000 to 12,000 North Korean soldiers were deployed to assist Russian forces, according to nytimes and trtglobal.

President Putin has framed the recapture of Kursk as foundational for further Russian military operations, suggesting it will create advantageous conditions for additional advances on other fronts. This announcement comes in conjunction with ongoing discussions about peace negotiations, with U.S. President Donald Trump indicating a willingness to facilitate talks, reflecting the complex political dynamics surrounding the conflict, according to scmp and aljazeera.