Russian forces are creating ‘buffer zone’ along Russia-Ukraine border, Putin says

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Thursday that the country’s military is creating a “security buffer zone” along the Ukraine border.

“Our armed forces are currently solving this problem,” Putin said. “Enemy firing points are being actively suppressed, the work is underway.”

He confirmed that the decision to establish a buffer zone had already been made, describing it as essential for national defense.

The announcement came one day before a planned prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia. The swap follows rare direct talks between the two nations last week in Turkey. It marked the first time the two sides met face-to-face in three years.

Ukrainian foreign ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi strongly criticized the buffer zone plan.

“This is an aggressive move,” Tykhyi said. “Russia is the obstacle to peace efforts now.”

Putin first mentioned the idea of a buffer zone in March. At the time, he was visiting the Kursk region, which Russia claims to have fully recaptured from Ukrainian forces.

On Thursday, Putin again brought up the border plan during a government meeting. He stressed the need to rebuild damaged areas.

“Help people return to their native villages,” Putin said. “Restore all transport and infrastructure where security conditions allow.”

Russian state media reported he plans to host a meeting dedicated to the region’s restoration projects.

Putin's comments followed his recent trip to Kursk, his first since claiming it had been retaken from Ukraine. During the visit, he said Ukrainian forces continued pushing toward the Russian border.

Ukraine had launched a cross-border offensive into Russia’s territory last August. It marked the first ground invasion of Russian soil by a foreign military since World War II. Kyiv held parts of the border region until late last month.

Military analysts say Ukraine hoped the captured territory would serve as leverage in any future negotiations. However, peace talks stalled until last week’s breakthrough in Turkey.

Both nations agreed to exchange 1,000 prisoners from each side. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia had received Ukraine’s proposed list for Friday’s expected swap.

“Yes, indeed, we have received it now,” Peskov told Russian state media when asked about the list.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the ongoing discussions in a post on X.

“Ukraine is clarifying the details for each individual included on the lists submitted by the Russian side,” he wrote.

He described the prisoner exchange as the most tangible result of the Turkey meeting.

“We are working to ensure that this result is achieved,” Zelensky added.

Images from Ukraine show officers evacuating civilians from towns and villages near the frontlines in Donetsk. The region has seen intense fighting as both countries prepare for renewed military activity.

Observers say Putin’s renewed focus on securing and rebuilding border areas signals a long-term strategy. The creation of a buffer zone may also complicate future peace talks by changing territorial realities on the ground.

Experts warn that the move could escalate tensions, especially if Russia uses the buffer to justify further military actions.

The United Nations has not commented on the plan. NATO and EU leaders have not issued statements as of Thursday evening.

With talks between Kyiv and Moscow just beginning, it remains unclear whether efforts like the prisoner exchange will lead to broader progress.

For now, both nations appear to be preparing for continued conflict—on the battlefield and at the negotiating table.