Putin declines to set timeline for expelling Ukrainian troops from Kursk, says ‘rushing’ will lead to unnecessary losses

Vladimir Putin, speaking during his annual Direct Line call-in show, declined to provide a timeline for when Russian forces would “liberate” the Kursk region from Ukrainian troops, citing concerns over unnecessary losses.

“I can’t and won’t name a specific date for when they’ll drive them out. The troops are fighting as we speak — there’s a battle going on right now,” Putin said in response to Tatyana Zibrova, a resident of the Bolshesoldatsky district in the Kursk region, who asked her question by phone.

Putin promised that the military would “absolutely” drive out Ukrainian forces but explained his reluctance to set a deadline. “You don’t give dates like that. The soldiers are listening, and if I announce one […] they’ll rush to meet it at all costs, without considering the losses. We can’t do that,” he said.

He added that “a day or two” wouldn’t make much of a difference and stated that once Russian forces “completely drive out” Ukrainian troops, it will then be possible to assess the damage.