Putin visits nuclear power plant in Kursk Region

Russian President Vladimir Putin travelled to the Kursk region for the first time since Moscow claimed it had fully regained control from Ukrainian forces. His visit came months after Ukraine’s surprise ground offensive last year.

Stops at Nuclear Plant and Meets Local Leaders

During his trip, Putin visited the city of Kurchatov. There, he met with local officials and inspected the under-construction Kursk nuclear power plant. According to the Kremlin and state-run TASS news agency, he also spoke with volunteers. Footage showed him in a formal suit engaging with people on the ground.

Putin Warns of Ongoing Threats

Putin stated that Ukraine continues to push towards the Russian border. “Ukrainian forces are still trying to move towards the Russian border,” he said, as reported by RIA Novosti. He ordered more demining teams to operate in the area to help residents return safely to their homes.

Kremlin Video Confirms Tuesday Visit

The Kremlin released a video confirming that Putin had visited Kursk on Tuesday. His trip marks a symbolic moment after months of fighting and political tension.

Background: Ukraine’s Shock Incursion

In August last year, Ukraine launched a sudden ground invasion into Kursk. It marked the first time a foreign army had entered Russian soil since World War II. Ukrainian troops captured parts of the region quickly, prompting a strong response from Moscow.

North Korean Troops Aided Russian Forces

According to Putin, North Korean soldiers assisted Russian forces in regaining control of Kursk. He made this claim last month. Since the initial invasion, Russia has focused on driving Ukrainian troops out, while Ukraine has defended the area fiercely to use it as leverage in any future peace talks.

Zelensky Says Ukraine Is Still Active in Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that his country is still engaged in fighting inside Russian regions. “We are continuing our active operations in the Kursk and Belgorod regions – we are proactively defending Ukraine’s border areas,” Zelensky said during his Wednesday night address.

Putin Speaks to Trump but Refuses Ceasefire Deal

Putin recently spoke with former U.S. President Donald Trump but declined to agree to a proposed 30-day ceasefire from Washington and Kyiv. Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said, “The Kremlin was ready to work with Ukraine on a ‘possible ceasefire for a certain period of time,’” but no time frame was discussed during the call.

EU Responds with New Sanctions

In response, the European Union announced new sanctions against nearly 200 Russian oil tankers. These vessels are part of what the EU calls Russia’s “shadow fleet,” used to bypass Western oil sanctions.

Ongoing Drone Strikes Raise Tensions

Both Russia and Ukraine blamed each other for drone strikes overnight into Wednesday. Ukraine claimed to have shot down 63 of the 76 Russian drones. Meanwhile, Russia said it destroyed 159 Ukrainian drones.