Moscow, 19 December 2024 (dpa/MIA) - Months after Ukrainian troops seized parts of Russia's southern Kursk region, President Vladimir Putin on Thursday pledged at his annual question-and-answer broadcast to finally liberate and rebuild the territory. 

"Everything will be done," said Putin, clearly reluctant to give a concrete answer to a local resident who asked when the population could return to their homes and the war damage will be repaired.

He was unable to specify a date, Putin said. "But they will definitely be expelled."

Thousands of Ukrainian soldiers have been occupying dozens of villages in the region bordering northern Ukraine since the beginning of August.

The leadership in Kiev says it wants to strengthen its position for possible negotiations to resolve the conflict.

Once the region has been liberated, all damage will be assessed, said Putin, assuring that roads and infrastructure would be restored: "Everything will be rebuilt." 

The president asked for patience from the people in the region, thousands of whom have lost their homes and are being housed in emergency accommodation.

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