An image taken from a handout footage released by the Russian Defence Ministry on August 21, 2024, reportedly shows a Russian Mi-35m attack helicopter firing rockets on Ukrainian Armed Forces at the border area of Kursk region in Russia. (Photo by Handout / Russian Defence Ministry / AFP)
Moscow: The Russian army has fully liberated the border Kursk region from Ukrainian control with the help of North Korean soldiers, Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov said on Saturday, admitting their participation in the conflict for the first time.
Gerasimov especially hailed the "heroism" of the North Korean soldiers taking part in the operation, who "provided significant assistance in defeating the group of Ukrainian armed forces".
But shortly after the Ukrainian army denied Russia's claim to have driven Kyiv's forces out of Kursk, saying that "statements by the enemy leadership about the 'defeat' of the Ukrainian troops are nothing more than propaganda tricks".
However, the Ukrainian Chief of Staff acknowledged the situation on the battlefield was "difficult", while insisting Ukrainian forces were still holding positions in Kursk.
The Ukrainian army said it was also continuing operations in some areas of Belgorod, another Russia's border region.
