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, according to the Kremlin.

The announcement was made ahead of an expected prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia on Friday – an outcome of last week’s face-to-face talks in Turkey, the first time the two countries have held direct talks at any level in three years.

The President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, has announced that the Russian armed forces are working on creating a buffer zone along the border with Ukraine. According to Moscow's claims, these actions aim to enhance security and include clearing mines in the border areas.