Vladimir Putin has visited Kursk for the first time since claiming to have completely retaken the Russian region from Ukrainian forces, state media reported on Wednesday, as the Russian president attempts to repel international pressure to agree to a 30-day ceasefire on the other side of the border.

Vladimir Putin visited the Kursk region, the site of a Ukrainian offensive launched in 2024. The Russian President criticized the actions of local authorities, even using the term "contest of idiots." This was most likely a propaganda move to demonstrate Putin as a "great host.