Russia's military says its forces have fully recaptured the country's western region of Kursk, which had been subjected to cross-border incursions by Ukrainian troops.



Ukraine denies Russia's announcement.



On Saturday, the Russian presidential office showed President Vladimir Putin receiving a briefing via video link from Valery Gerasimov, the Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces.



Gerasimov told Putin that the last settlement in Kursk was "liberated" from Ukrainian units. He said that Russian forces have retaken the region they had lost to cross-border incursions by Ukrainian forces that began in August 2024.



Gerasimov praised North Korean troops who took part in the fighting under the comprehensive strategic partnership treaty between the two countries.



This is the first time that Moscow officially acknowledged the participation of North Korean soldiers in the fighting.



He said soldiers and officers of the North Korean military fought side-by-side with Russian servicemen. He added that the North Koreans demonstrated steadfastness, courage and heroism in battle.



Putin also congratulated Russian soldiers, saying the defeat of the enemy in Kursk creates conditions for further successful actions by Russian troops on other important battle fronts.



The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces posted a statement on social media that said Russia's claims do not correspond to reality, and that the defensive operation of Ukrainian forces continues in certain areas in Kursk.



It added that the statements of the Russian leadership about the "defeat"' of the Ukrainian forces are nothing more than "a propaganda ploy and a desire to pass off wishful thinking."



Ukraine's statement said the Ukrainian military continues its actions in Russia's Belgorod region, which is adjacent to Kursk.