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.

The Russian leader traveled to the region in the west of the country where a surprise incursion last year embarrassed Moscow.

Moscow said last month it had retaken full control of the region — a claim denied by Ukraine, which first took parts of Kursk in August. Putin last visited the border region in March, donning military fatigues for the only time since ordering the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and visiting a command post.