Russian Troops Rebut One Village In Kursk, Ukraine Military Urges To Resign From Hideout

Russian/Military Alexander Reka/TASS

Russia says its forces have reclaimed another village in their bid to expel Ukrainian troops from their final hiding place in Russia's Kursk region.

Reported by Reuters on Friday, March 14, the Ministry of Defense said Russian troops took back Goncharovka, one of a number of settlements still in Ukrainian hands.

There has been no immediate response from Kyiv.

Ukraine said it controlled about 100 settlements at the height of its surprise attack on western Russia, which it launched on August 10 last year with the aim of diverting Russian troops from eastern Ukraine and securing bargaining gear in negotiations.

But Russian forces, backed by troops from its North Korean allies, have gradually recaptured the lost territory, tightening pressure on Ukraine by cutting off its supply lines.

Russia has reclaimed 28 Kursk settlements in the past week and also captured Ukraine's Novenke village, which is located just across the border in the Sumy region of Ukraine.

Reuters was unable to independently confirm the report.

President Vladimir Putin this week instructed his commanders to complete the task of expelling the last Ukrainian troops as soon as possible, saying they should "hand over or die". He also said Russia should consider setting up a buffer zone along the border.