# Russia retook its occupied Kursk borderlands a year and a half ago, but many refugees still cannot return

https://mins.news/en/item/126094

- Meduza, 2026-11-02 20:36 UTC
- World
- Original: https://meduza.io/en/feature/2026/11/02/russia-reclaimed-its-occupied-kursk-borderlands-a-year-and-a-half-ago-meduza-visited-the-region-to-find-out-why-many-refugees-still-can-t-go-home-and-why-some-locals-watch-drone-attacks-like-a-show

> Ukraine entered Russia’s Kursk region in August 2024, and parts remained under Ukrainian occupation until spring 2025. Many refugees have yet to return, while some border villages are uninhabitable. In Kursk, residents largely ignore air-raid sirens, and some watch drones and air defenses clash. Locals commonly blame the lack of fortifications for Ukraine’s advance; Russia’s Prosecutor General’s Office estimates that more than 3 billion rubles were stolen from the fortifications budget.

## Related coverage

- [Fighting returns to Kherson region after longest Ukraine war ceasefire](https://mins.news/en/item/125896) — BBC News, 2026-11-02
- [Emotional reunions as Oleshky residents flee during truce](https://mins.news/en/item/125343) — France 24, 2026-11-02
- [Ceasefire lets Kherson residents return to damaged homes](https://mins.news/en/video/123482) — The Associated Press, 2026-10-31