Russian President Vladimir V. Putin has made his inaugural trip to the Kursk region, a significant location that was the scene of a surprise incursion last year by Ukrainian forces. This visit marks the first since Russian troops successfully pushed Ukrainian fighters back from much of the territory they had briefly controlled. The Kremlin reported that Putin toured a nuclear power plant under construction and interacted with volunteers assisting local residents impacted by the ongoing conflict.
Images of the visit have been circulated by Russian state media, seemingly intended to convey a sense of normality returning to a region that has recently seen intense combat. The backdrop to Putin's visit is the historic August incursion by Ukraine into Kursk, during which Ukrainian forces captured approximately 500 square miles of Russian land. However, this momentum eventually faltered, allowing Russian troops—reinforced by North Korean soldiers—to regain most of the territory after a decisive counterattack in March.
Putin's visit comes just days after both Russian and Ukrainian officials engaged in their first direct peace talks in over three years, highlighting the complexities surrounding the ongoing conflict. Previously, Putin stated he would not enter negotiations with Ukraine until their forces surrendered in Kursk.
This conflict represents the first major invasion of Russian territory since World War II, and both sides have endured heavy losses. Official Russian reports claim nearly 300 civilians in Kursk have died as a result of the fighting, alongside the dislocation of around 110,000 residents. These casualties have undermined the Kremlin narrative framing the war as a distant undertaking characterized as a "special military operation."
Access to the Kursk area has been limited for independent journalists and researchers, complicating efforts to gain insight into the true extent of civilian suffering. Many displaced individuals have voiced their frustrations over inadequate governmental support and noted a widespread apathy among the Russian population towards their plight. In a bid to address these grievances, Putin announced support measures during his meeting with local officials, promising stipends of $800 per month to residents of border settlements affected by the conflict.
Anatoly Kurmanaev is a journalist covering the unfolding dynamics in Russia following the invasion of Ukraine.
