Drone attack during Putin's visit: danger increases in the sky of Kursk

During Russian President Vladimir Putin’s working visit to the Kursk region on May 20, the area was subjected to a large-scale drone attack by the Armed Forces of Ukraine. According to Russian media, the president personally witnessed the aerial threat during his trip.

Russia’s air defense system responded quickly to the attack. According to official data, 46 drones were detected in the skies over Kursk and all were shot down. This was reported by air defense division commander Yuri Dashkin. According to him, the president’s helicopter was at the center of the drone activity.

— While Putin was in the region, the Ukrainian side launched an unprecedented drone attack. A total of 46 aircraft-type drones were destroyed, — Dashkin told journalists.

What did the president do in Kursk?

Putin’s visit to the Kursk region was officially announced on May 21. During the trip, he met with Kursk volunteers and also visited the under-construction Nuclear Power Plant-2. On the same day, the president also held talks with acting regional governor Alexander Khinshtein.

This was Putin’s second official visit to the Kursk region since the beginning of the war. The first visit took place in March 2024, when he became acquainted with the front-line situation. Notably, this was his first visit after the Ukrainian Armed Forces launched their offensive in this direction on August 14, 2024.

How did the front in Kursk begin?

To recall, on August 6, 2024, the Ukrainian army announced it had begun military operations in Russia’s Kursk region. By August 12, 28 settlements had reportedly come under Ukrainian control, according to then-acting governor Alexei Smirnov.

In early 2025, Russia’s Ministry of Defense stated that Ukraine had occupied 1,268 km² of territory, which is approximately 4% of Kursk region’s total area (29.9 thousand km²). In January and February, Russia carried out counter-operations and regained control of 64% of the territory.

Conflicting statements by Zelensky and Putin

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the operation in Kursk as a strategy to weaken Russia’s military potential, increase counteroffensive pressure, and create a buffer zone on Russian territory. In April, Vladimir Putin announced the full “liberation” of Kursk region. However, the Ukrainian side insists that fighting is still ongoing.

The latest events in Kursk, especially the drone attack during Putin’s visit, indicate that tensions in the region are rising. Russia is trying to demonstrate the effectiveness of its air defense, while Ukraine claims to maintain pressure on the front line. Amid the ongoing political and military conflict, each attack and visit draws attention from the international community.