Russia recaptures another village to push Ukraine out of Kursk

Russia on Friday said that its forces had recaptured another village in their drive to dislodge Ukrainian forces from their last remaining footholds inside Kursk region.

According to the defence ministry, Russian troops had retaken Goncharovka, one of only a handful of settlements still in Ukrainian hands.

Kyiv has, however, not made any comment on the development.

Ukraine said it controlled about 100 settlements at the peak of its shock incursion into western Russia, which it launched on August 10 last year with the aim of diverting Russian forces from eastern Ukraine and securing a bargaining chip in negotiations.

However, Russia’s forces, supported by troops from its ally North Korea, have gradually clawed back the lost territory, tightening the squeeze on Ukraine by cutting its supply lines.

President Vladimir Putin this week instructed his commanders to complete the task of ejecting the last Ukrainian troops as soon as possible, saying they would have to surrender or die.

Russia recaptures another village to push Ukraine out of Kursk