Kursk Region, Russia – May 21, 2025: Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the Kursk region on Tuesday, marking his first trip since Russian forces pushed Ukrainian troops out of the area in late April. The visit highlights Russia’s ongoing efforts to solidify control near the border conflict zone.
Kremlin officials said Putin met volunteers and local officials, including acting governor Alexander Khinshtein. He also inspected a nuclear power plant. Sergei Kiriyenko, the Kremlin’s first deputy chief of staff, accompanied him.
Ukrainian troops had briefly entered the Kursk region in August 2024, in one of their boldest moves since the war began. At the height of the operation, Ukraine controlled 1,400 square kilometres of Russian territory. It was the first occupation of Russian land by foreign forces since World War II.
However, Russia reclaimed the area by late April 2025 and declared it fully under its control. Since then, Putin had not visited the frontline region—until now.
Meanwhile, in Ukraine, at least six servicemen were killed and 10 wounded in a missile strike on Tuesday. Ukraine’s national guard confirmed the casualties, adding that the unit commander had been suspended. An internal investigation is under way.
Russia claimed responsibility for the missile attack. According to Moscow, the strike targeted a Ukrainian special forces training camp in the Sumy region. Russia used an Iskander missile and released aerial footage showing fire and smoke from the impact site.
In addition, Ukraine claimed a successful drone strike on a semiconductor plant in Russia’s Oryol region. The facility reportedly helps produce parts for Iskander and Kinzhal missiles. A fire broke out after ten drones hit the site.
Simultaneously, Russia said it intercepted 159 Ukrainian drones over 12 hours. Most targeted regions bordering Ukraine, but some aimed at Moscow. The defence ministry described the attack as a large-scale offensive.
These escalations come just days after a phone call between Putin and US President Donald Trump ended without progress. European leaders continue to push for a ceasefire, but Ukraine accuses Russia of stalling.
Observers now wait for Moscow’s next move in the border conflict zone.
