Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the border region of Kursk on Tuesday, weeks after Moscow’s forces, with support from North Korean troops, pushed Ukrainian forces out of the area, the Kremlin announced on Wednesday.

During the unannounced working visit, Putin met with the region’s interim governor and other local officials. He also toured the local nuclear power plant and held meetings with city authorities.

Ukrainian troops had taken control of parts of the Kursk region in August 2024, but were expelled by late April following a Russian counteroffensive.

State broadcaster Rossia 24 aired footage of a relaxed Putin smiling and chatting over tea and sweets with local residents. The visit marks his second to the region in recent months, following a trip in late March.