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.

In August 2024, Ukraine launched an invasion of Russia's Kursk region. Despite official claims of quickly removing Ukrainian forces, the region remained under Ukrainian control until spring 2025. This was the first time Russia had been occupied since World War II, and life in the region has not yet returned to normal. Refugees are still present, and border villages where some are attempting to return are uninhabitable.

Upon visiting the region, a Meduza correspondent discovered that drones and air defenses provide a spectacle for locals. The Central Park mall in central Kursk, filled with shops and a fast-food restaurant, is seen as an "attraction for young people." Nearby, the Northern Market attracts an older crowd, who continue to shop, bargain, and socialize despite the presence of drones.

The historic center of Kursk, where the correspondent visited, remains unscathed by drone attacks, though locals acknowledge they could happen at any time. Many Kursk residents still question how Ukraine managed to occupy territory that was heavily fortified. Some speculate that officials mishandled defense funds, leading to the loss of billions of rubles.

Regardless of the cause, the Ukrainian occupation lasted from August 2024 to April 2025, and it is still unclear how many residents were killed or injured during this time.