VlRussian President Vladimir Putin confirmed that the Russian military is actively establishing a “security buffer zone” along the Ukrainian border. This action is taken in the midst of continuing hostilities and in advance of the highly anticipated prisoner exchange between the two nations. According to Vladimir Putin, the endeavor is crucial to squelching enemy firing positions and reestablishing regional security.
Russia creating ‘buffer zone’ along parts of Ukraine border — Putin
‘Women and children are being targeted and killed,’ so a buffer zone along Kursk and Bryansk regions will be set up pic.twitter.com/RMpGqoL2yF
— RT (@RT_com) May 22, 2025
Meanwhile, Ukraine, has denounced the plan as belligerent and a hindrance to peace initiatives. The announcement emphasizes Russia’s ongoing political and military strategy along its Ukrainian border as peace negotiations plod along.
Putin Details Buffer Zone Efforts and Border Security
According to Vladimir Putin, Russian troops are now establishing this buffer zone with the goal of removing enemy firing positions along the border. He underlined how crucial it is to repair and rebuild the border region that has been damaged by continuous hostilities. When security permits, President Vladimir Putin continued, authorities intend to assist citizens in returning to their hometown villages and communities. In order to facilitate this recovery, infrastructure and transportation will also be restored.
The Russian leader declared that a special meeting devoted to restoration projects would be held. This initiative comes after he recently visited the Kursk region of Russia, which Russia says it has completely retaken from Ukrainian forces.
During the visit, Putin spoke with local officials about the new buffer zone. The Institute for the Study of War reported that Putin was asked about the buffer zone depth in the Sumy region. He was also asked how many kilometers it should stretch.
Tensions on the Border Continue
According to reports, Ukrainian forces made an attempt to approach the Russian border during Putin’s visit. The first ground invasion of Russia by a foreign power since World War II occurred in August when Kyiv began an offensive into Russian territory. Until late last month, portions of the border region were under the control of Ukrainian forces. In any peace talks, Ukraine had used this region as a major negotiating chip.
Twelve civilians, including two children, were injured in a Ukrainian strike on the town of Lgov in the Kursk region in retaliation. The strike highlighted ongoing hostilities near the border by damaging cars, homes, and an apartment building.
Progress in Peace Talks and Prisoner Exchange
The buffer zone was announced days before a prisoner exchange. This exchange is the first major result of recent talks in Turkey. For the first time in three years, the two nations had direct communication. A 1,000 prisoner exchange was agreed upon by both parties.
The exchange of Ukraine’s prisoner list with Russia has been confirmed by Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov. According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, discussions are still ongoing to confirm the names on Russia’s list. Zelensky called the swap the only tangible outcome of the Turkey meeting. He reaffirmed his commitment to seeing it through.
