ISTANBUL
Russia said on Friday that it continues its efforts to create a “security zone” in the border areas of Ukraine’s northeastern Sumy region, as it reiterated claims of pushing Kyiv out of its border region of Kursk late last month.
In a statement on the progress of military actions in Ukraine over the past week, the Defense Ministry reaffirmed its claim of pushing Ukrainian troops out of Kursk, where Kyiv had launched an incursion last August.
The ministry said Russia re-captured the border village of Gornal, describing it as the last settlement under Ukrainian control in the region.
Gornal is situated about 33 kilometers (20.5 miles) northeast of the city of Sumy.
Russia on April 26 said it captured the village and completely pushed Ukrainian forces out of Kursk.
Ukraine, however, has denied the claims, saying its defensive operations in the region are still ongoing, but acknowledged that the operational situation is "difficult."
“The creation of a ‘security zone’ in the border areas of the Sumy region of Ukraine continues,” the ministry added.
Kyiv's incursion into the Kursk region began on the night of Aug. 5-6, 2024, when its forces entered near the town of Sudzha, approximately 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) from the Ukrainian border.
At its peak, Kyiv claimed it had captured more than 1,300 square kilometres (501 square miles) of Kursk, but has since been gradually pushed out by a Russian counteroffensive, including troops from North Korea.
During the offensive, Moscow also claimed capturing settlements in Sumy, but independent verification is difficult due to the ongoing war, which is now in its fourth year.