Meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chief of the General Staff

Date: April 26, 2025

Event: Meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov regarding the situation in the Kursk Region.

Significance:
- The meeting is a strategic review following the reported liberation of the village of Gornal, the last populated area in the Kursk Region controlled by Ukrainian forces.
- Gerasimov presents an overview of the military operations, highlighting successful units and the assistance provided by North Korean forces as per the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
- President Putin acknowledges and congratulates the efforts of various Russian military units and North Korean servicemen involved in the operation.
- Both parties emphasize the failure of the Kiev regime's strategic plans and the significant losses suffered by the Ukrainian armed forces.
- The victory in the Kursk Region is framed as a pivotal moment affecting the overall engagement line and potentially accelerating the defeat of the "neo-Nazi" regime in Ukraine.

Units mentioned:
- 22nd Motor Rifle Regiment of the 72nd Division
- 810th and 40th Separate Marine Brigades
- 177th Separate Marine Regiment
- 1427th Motor Rifle Regiment
- 76th Airborne Division
- 234th Airborne Assault Regiment
- 104th Airborne Assault Regiment
- 106th Airborne Division
- 119th Parachute Regiment
- 137th Parachute Regiment
- 51st Parachute Regiment
- 56th Airborne Assault Regiment of the 7th Airborne Assault Division
- Two Akhmat regiments: 204th Akhmat Special Forces Regiment and 1434th Akhmat Motorized Infantry Regiment
- 11th Airborne Assault Brigade
- 83rd Separate Airborne Assault Brigade
- 155th Marine Brigade of the Pacific Fleet
- 810th Marine Brigade of the Black Sea Fleet
- Veterans volunteer force

Military equipment losses reported:
- Over 76,000 Ukrainian servicemen killed or wounded
- More than 7,700 pieces of military equipment destroyed, including:
  - 412 tanks
  - 340 infantry fighting vehicles
  - 314 armored personnel carriers
  - Approximately 2,300 other armored combat vehicles

Implications:
- The successful operation in the Kursk Region is seen as a major victory for the Russian military, boosting morale and strategic positioning.
- The involvement of North Korean forces suggests a deepening military alliance between Russia and the DPRK.
- The Kremlin's narrative of fighting against "neo-Nazis" in Ukraine remains a central theme in justifying the conflict.
- The heavy losses reported for the Ukrainian military could have a demoralizing effect on Ukrainian forces and potentially weaken international support for Ukraine.
- The meeting sets the stage for further Russian advancements and escalations in the ongoing conflict in Donbas and other regions of Ukraine.