Vladimir Putin paid his first visit to Kursk since Russia declared the full recapture of the region. On that day—May 14, 2025—we were visiting with municipal leaders in Kurchatov. At the conclusion of the meeting, we took a tour of the ongoing construction at the Kursk nuclear power plant. This visit takes place against the backdrop of increased tensions with Ukraine, where Russian forces are still deploying and conducting combat operations.
In the aftermath of that visit, Putin ordered additional demining units to be sent to Kursk. This action is a significant step towards addressing the legacy of unexploded ordnance that continues to impact the region. The move is a piece of a larger effort strategy to re-secure the region and provide long-term safety and stability for residents. In a related development, Putin chaired a meeting with senior officials in Moscow to discuss upcoming peace talks with Ukraine.
On the military front, Russia has had some staggering successes. They’ve shot down 159 Ukrainian Shahed-style attack drones over their territory. And seemingly belatedly here, Putin admitted that Ukrainian forces are still advancing toward the Russian border. This underscores the continuing fragility in the area, even amid recent progress.
Putin disclosed that North Korean troops were actually involved in military efforts to retake ground lost to Ukraine in Kursk. This degree of involvement serves to underscore the international dimensions of the conflict. North Korea’s participation raises new doubts regarding the depth of Russia’s support from its allied countries. This support is particularly important as Russia is ramping up its military aggression in Ukraine.
In other recent news, Putin had a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss possible ceasefire deals. He refused to agree to a 30-day ceasefire requested by Washington and Kyiv. Kremlin presidential aide Yury Ushakov described Putin’s stance as open to a “possible ceasefire for a certain period of time,” indicating that negotiations may still be on the table.
The need for continued military operations and the recent drone attacks attacking civilians have further burdened relations between Russia and Ukraine. Putin’s administration went even further, directly blaming Ukraine for this series of drone strikes on Russian territory overnight. This branding has further escalated an already fraught relationship between the two countries.
As he toured with local volunteers during his visit, Putin made it clear that Russia would continue to take measures to defend its borders. His comments were made in response to statements given earlier this week by Ukrainian President Zelensky regarding Ukraine’s aggressive defense on the frontlines and in border regions.
