Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed that his country has regained control of Kursk, the border region where Ukraine launched a surprise offensive last year, though Ukraine’s army says fighting continues.

After claiming to have ended Ukraine's incursion into Kursk — with North Korean help — Russia says it is ready to hold peace talks with Kyiv. But President Trump has cast doubt on Putin's remarks and theatened sanctions.

In a statement, Putin congratulated the Russian soldiers and commanders and said that Kyiv’s incursion had “completely failed.”