Ukraine Denies Russian Claims of Ceasefire in Kursk Region

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has rejected Russian claims that hostilities in Russia’s Kursk region have ceased, stating that Ukrainian defense operations are actively continuing in designated border areas, The Gaze reports.

In a statement released on May 21, Ukraine’s military command asserted: “Russian representatives’ statements about the alleged end of hostilities in the Kursk region do not reflect the real situation on the ground.”

The Ukrainian General Staff confirmed that Defense Forces are maintaining positions in the area despite challenging conditions, successfully completing their objectives and inflicting “effective losses on the enemy.”

Since the beginning of operations in the Kursk direction, Ukrainian forces claim Russia has lost 63,402 personnel, including 25,625 killed in action. 

Additionally, 971 Russian troops have been taken prisoner, while 5,664 units of Russian military equipment have reportedly been destroyed or damaged.

Ukrainian units also continue to conduct “active operations” in certain districts of Russia’s Belgorod region, the military said.

The announcement comes just days after Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the Kursk region on May 20. According to Russian state media outlets, the visit marked Putin’s first trip to the area since what Moscow called its “full liberation.” 

Ukrainian authorities, however, challenge that narrative, describing the visit as premature and misleading given the continued fighting.

As The Gaze previously reported, Russian state-controlled media have extensively covered President Vladimir Putin’s recent visit to the Kursk region, yet conspicuously omit the persistent hostilities continuing in the area.