Putin visits nuclear power plant in Kursk region, calls Ukrainian army 'idiots'

Russian President Vladimir Putin made his first visit to the Kursk region since Moscow declared it had fully ousted Ukrainian forces from the border area, the Kremlin confirmed on Wednesday. The unannounced trip took place on Tuesday, with Putin visiting Kurchatov city and inspecting the under-construction Kursk Nuclear Power Plant-2. During his visit, Putin also met with local volunteers, many of whom were seen wearing symbols of Russia's invasion, the Latin letters “Z” and “V”, as shown in Russian state media broadcasts. Addressing them, Putin said, “What you are doing now during this difficult situation for this region, for this area, and for the country, will remain with you for the rest of your life as, perhaps, the most meaningful thing with which you were ever involved.” Putin’s trip comes just weeks after Russia, with support from up to 12,000 North Korean troops, claimed to have reclaimed Kursk following a rare Ukrainian incursion in August 2024. The operation marked the first time since World War II that foreign forces occupied Russian territory, dealing a major blow to Moscow’s military image. Kyiv had managed to hold parts of the region for months, executing the surprise move in secrecy as a way to expose Russian vulnerabilities and disrupt attacks in Donetsk.