President Vladimir Putin visited Russia's Kursk region for the first time since Moscow claimed that it drove Ukrainian forces out of the area last month, the Kremlin said Wednesday. Putin visited the region bordering Ukraine the previous day,

It was the Russian leader’s first visit to the region, since Moscow said it drove out Ukrainian forces last month, a claim Kyiv has denied.

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