Russia says forces retake Sudzha in Kursk border region

Russian forces have retaken the small town of Sudzha in Russia's Kursk border region from Ukrainian troops, the Defence Ministry in Moscow said on Thursday.

The ministry said the settlements of Melovoi and Podol had also been liberated.

There has not yet been confirmation from the Ukrainian side.

Both Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi and President Volodymyr Zelensky have said soldiers would retreat in the case they become heavily outnumbered by the Russians.

Sudzha was the most significant population centre in the Kursk region to come under the control of Ukrainian forces during their surprise advance into Russian territory last August.

Russian state media and war bloggers said on Wednesday that the Russian flag was flown over the Sudzha town hall.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, wearing a military uniform, visited Kursk on Wednesday evening and called for the swift liberation of the region from Ukrainian forces.

Ukraine was able to capture more than 1,000 square kilometres in Kursk. For months, Russia has been waging fierce battles – including with the support of North Korean soldiers – to reclaim the territory.

Russia's efforts have paid off, with Ukraine recently withdrawing from several villages.

Zelensky has called the Kursk offensive an important bargaining chip in potential negotiations with Moscow.