Latest news with #Kiev-controlled
Russia Today
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Kursk Region fully liberated from Ukrainians
The Russian military has completely liberated the border Kursk Region from Ukrainian forces, President Vladimir Putin has said after being briefed on the battlefield situation by General Staff Chief Valery Gerasimov. In a video address shared by the Kremlin on Saturday, Putin thanked Russian service members 'who took part in defeating the neo-Nazi groups' that invaded the region last summer. 'The Kiev regime's adventure has completely failed, and the huge losses suffered by the enemy, including among the most combat-ready, trained and equipped, including by Western models of equipment… will certainly be reflected along the entire line of combat contact,' he said. According to Putin, the Russian success sets the stage for further advances in other areas of the front, bringing final victory in the conflict closer. The Russian president praised several units that took active part in first stalling the Ukrainian incursion and then pushing the enemy forces back. He particularly lauded volunteers from the 11th Airborne Assault Brigade, 30th Rifle Regiment and the Akhmat Special Forces unit who infiltrated deep into Kiev-controlled territory via an underground pipeline near the town of Sudzha. The daring operation led to a complete crumbling of Ukrainian defenses. According to Gerasimov, total Ukrainian losses during the Kursk incursion amounted to more than 76,000 servicemen killed and wounded, as well as more than 7,700 units of military equipment lost, including 412 tanks, and 340 infantry fighting vehicles, and 314 armored personnel chief of the General Staff went on to confirm that Russia's military effort in Kursk Region was supported by North Korean troops, whose assistance was provided under the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership signed last year. Ukraine launched its incursion into Kursk Region last August, initially gaining some ground and capturing numerous settlements before their advance was checked by Russian forces. Putin has characterized the incursion as an attempt by Kiev to divert attention from Moscow's offensive in Donbass, adding that this ploy has failed. Ukrainian officials described the operation as a way to gain leverage in potential peace talks with Russia.
Russia Today
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Putin announces full liberation of Kursk Region: Key takeaways
Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced that Ukrainian forces have been completely driven back from the border region of Kursk, following months of fierce fighting. He made the remarks while being briefed on the frontline situation by the chief of the General Staff, Valery Gerasimov. Kiev suffered heavy losses during the incursion, which began in August last year, undermining its defenses in other sectors of the front, Putin said. Gerasimov confirmed that North Korean forces helped defend Russia's Kursk Region. Here are the key takeaways from the briefing. On Saturday, Russian troops liberated the village of Gornal, which is 1km from the border, and was the last remaining Ukrainian-controlled settlement in Kursk Region, Gerasimov said. 'The defeat of the armed formations of the Ukrainian armed forces that invaded Kursk Region has been completed,' he stated. Kiev's plans 'to create a so-called strategic bridgehead and to disrupt our offensive in Donbass have failed.' Early on in the incursion, Russian forces managed to halt Ukraine's advance, and later forced it to switch to defensive operations, Gerasimov said. Subsequent flanking counterattacks isolated Kiev's spearhead, allowing Russia to destroy the enemy forces in a piecemeal fashion as it regained ground. The final push to liberate the region began in early March, the general stated, highlighting a daring infiltration deep into Kiev-controlled territory through an underground pipeline near the town of Sudzha, which led to a complete collapse of the Ukrainian defenses. The botched incursion proved costly for Kiev, Putin said, pointing to 'the huge losses... including among the most combat-ready, trained, and equipped, including by Western models of equipment.' These losses will 'certainly be reflected along the entire line of combat,' he said. The total Ukrainian losses during the Kursk incursion amounted to more than 76,000 servicemen killed and wounded, and the loss of more than 7,700 units of military equipment, including 412 tanks, 340 infantry fighting vehicles, and 314 armored personnel carriers, Gerasimov said. Gerasimov confirmed that Russia's military effort in Kursk Region was supported by North Korean troops, whose assistance was provided under the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership signed last year. The soldiers and officers of the Korean People's Army have 'demonstrated high professionalism, courage, and heroism in battle,' the general said. Russian forces are now carrying out a sweeping operation to find 'individual Ukrainian armed forces service members attempting to hide on Russian territory,' Gerasimov said. He added that the military is providing assistance to the local authorities to 'restore peaceful life,' with demining teams deployed to the region.
Russia Today
14-04-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Ukraine could axe one-third of parliament
The number of seats in the Ukrainian parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, should be slashed from 450 to 300, Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk has argued. The lawmaker cited the country's declining population as the reason for the proposed move. The Rada is a year overdue for elections, which remain suspended under martial law. In a recent interview with Ukrinform, Stefanchuk said the current parliament is bloated. 'There is a demand in Ukrainian society for a reduction in the number of deputies,' the speaker stated. 'It's not about sympathies or antipathies. It's simply that the number of Ukrainians needing representation has decreased. When we had 52 million people, it was different, but now, with fewer citizens, a change needs to be debated.' The current Ukrainian parliament is officially more than 70 MPs short and struggles to maintain the quorum necessary to pass legislation. Initially, it had only 26 vacant seats, reserved for constituencies in Crimea and Donbass, where no elections were held in 2019 due to lack of control by Kiev. Read more Ukrainians who moved to the West not coming back – MP Support for Vladimir Zelensky's agenda in parliament appears uncertain. After US President Donald Trump labeled Zelensky a 'dictator' in February, the Rada failed to pass a statement supporting the Ukrainian leader during a visit from senior EU officials. The resolution was eventually passed the following day. Ukraine's population was just under 52 million when it declared independence in 1991 amid the USSR's collapse. By the time of the last census in 2001, that number had dropped to 48.5 million. A 2024 government demographic report estimates the population in Kiev-controlled territories at 31.1 million. Kiev anticipates persistent labor shortages ahead, as many Ukrainians who have fled since the escalation of conflict with Russia in 2022 show little intention of returning. Officials are debating whether to attract millions of non-citizens to fill the gaps. Zelensky claims that his primary goal in the conflict with Russia is to protect the people. Moscow has accused him of waging a war 'to the last Ukrainian' in pursuit of Western interests and personal ambition.
Russia Today
20-03-2025
- Health
- Russia Today
Hospital hit during Ukrainian drone attack deep inside Russia
A hospital in the central Russian city of Engels has sustained damage in the largest ever Ukrainian drone raid on the area, local officials have reported. The nearby regional capital, Saratov, was also targeted. Governor Roman Busargin posted images on his Telegram account on Thursday morning, showing the hospital with shattered windows. A woman was reported injured in the attack. Besides broken glass, an oxygen pipeline was ruptured. 'For the time being, incoming emergency patients are being redirected to other facilities,' the governor stated. He emphasized that the incident 'will not affect the quality of medical care provided at the hospital.' Engels and Saratov lie more than 600km from Kiev-controlled territories on opposite banks of the Volga River. A military airfield is situated on the southeastern outskirts of Engels. The Russian Defense Ministry reported intercepting 54 Ukrainian drones overnight in Saratov Region, as well as 40 over Voronezh Region and 22 over Belgorod Region. Smaller numbers were intercepted in various other regions, though overall 132 drones were brought down by air defenses, Moscow has reported. The latest Ukrainian assault comes amid negotiations for a partial ceasefire aimed at suspending long-range strikes on energy infrastructure by both sides. Advocated by US President Donald Trump, the measure seeks to facilitate peace talks and establish a comprehensive truce.
Russia Today
20-03-2025
- Health
- Russia Today
Hospital damaged in Ukrainian drone attack deep inside Russia
A hospital in the central Russian city of Engels has sustained damage in the largest Ukrainian drone raid on the area to date, officials have said. The nearby regional capital, Saratov, was also targeted. Governor Roman Busargin posted images on his Telegram account on Thursday morning, showing the hospital with shattered windows. A woman was reported injured in the attack. Besides broken glass, a ruptured oxygen pipeline was discovered, although Busargin said repair work would likely be completed by the evening. 'For the time being, incoming emergency patients are being redirected to other facilities,' the governor stated. He emphasized that the incident 'will not affect the quality of medical care provided at the hospital.' Engels and Saratov lie on opposite banks of the Volga River, more than 600km away from Kiev-controlled territories. A military airfield is situated on the southeastern outskirts of Engels. The Russian Defense Ministry reported intercepting 54 Ukrainian drones overnight in Saratov Region, as well as 40 over Voronezh Region and 22 over Belgorod Region. Smaller numbers intercepted in various other regions, totaling 132 drones brought down by air defenses. The latest Ukrainian assault comes amid negotiations for a partial ceasefire aimed at suspending long-range strikes on energy infrastructure by both sides. Advocated by US President Donald Trump, the measure seeks to facilitate peace talks and establish a comprehensive truce.
