In footage published by Russian state media, he told them that working during this “difficult situation” in the region will be the most “meaningful thing” they do in their lives. Many displaced civilians in Kursk have complained of a lack of government support.

The high-profile photo op appeared to be an attempt to project an image of strength and normality while fighting still rages on the edge of the region, according to Kyiv’s military.

Time-wasting allegation

It comes as the Kremlin on Wednesday rejected accusations from Ukraine and its allies that it was trying to drag out the peace process after the first direct talks between Ukraine and Russia last week produced nothing substantial.

Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, said Russia welcomed “the readiness and efforts of all parties who want to contribute to a speedy settlement”, but nothing had been decided yet about where the next meeting should be held.

Donald Trump said on Monday, following a phone call with Putin, that “it would be great” for peace talks to take place at the Vatican. Giorgia Meloni, the Italian prime minister, later confirmed Pope Leo was willing to host the next rounds of negotiations.

Overnight, Ukraine struck a major electronics factory inside Russia’s Oryol region. Footage shows a long-range drone targeted the site, sparking a huge blaze.

Ukraine’s general staff called it one of the “leading enterprises in Russia” for semiconductors and microelectronics, vital for the war effort.

Russia said it shot down a large-scale Ukrainian aerial onslaught across Russia overnight, destroying 159 drones, including 53 over the Oryol region and three over Moscow, sparking two city airports to temporarily suspend flights.

In Ukraine, Russian drone attacks killed two people and wounded five others in the Sumy region, local authorities said.