Ukraine Returns 46 'Detained' Russian Citizens During Kursk Invasion

Russia says Ukraine has repatriated 46 Russian citizens who were taken there after Ukrainian forces seized parts of Russia's western Kursk in August.

The tiring and long negotiations for the return of our compatriots to their homeland have paid off, wrote Kursk regional governor Alexei Smirnov.

"They received all the necessary help," he said.

Smirnov said the civilians came from Sudzha district, which borders northeastern Ukraine. They returned via Belarus.

It is not yet clear where they are being held in Ukraine.

Russian human rights commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova published a video showing families with toddlers and the elderly receiving humanitarian assistance after getting off the bus.

He said they had been taken out of Kursk's territory by Ukrainian troops after the attack on August 6.

"So far we have been worried, we are in contact with relatives, collecting documents for the return of our people," he said, adding that the negotiations involved Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and the International Red Cross Committee.

There has been no immediate comment from Ukraine.

Ukraine continues to control parts of Kursk despite Russian attempts to expel Kyiv troops. Russia has reclaimed several villages in the region.

Moskalkova said last month he had received a request for more than 1,000 Russians from Kursk, whose whereabouts were unknown and said to have been brought by Ukrainian forces.

At least 122,000 Kursk residents fled when authorities ordered evacuation shortly after Kyiv forces broke through Russia's western border, supported by swarms of drones and heavy weapons, including Western weapons.