Putin’s failure to expel Ukraine’s army from Russian territory may gain added significance as U.S. President Donald Trump pushes for a deal to end the war. While Russian troops continue to gradually advance on the battlefield in eastern Ukraine, Kyiv retains a bargaining chip in Kursk for a potential exchange of territory at any talks.

MOSCOW: Moscow said Thursday (Feb 6) that Ukraine's army had launched a fresh offensive in the Russian Kursk border region, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hailed Kyiv troops fighting on Russian soil.

The General Staff of Ukraine reported that Kyiv's operation in the Kursk region has been ongoing for six months. Russia has lost nearly 40,000 soldiers there during this period. Over 16,000 have been killed,

According to Russian military bloggers, Ukrainian forces attacked southeast of Sudzha, advancing toward the settlements of Fanaseevka and Ulanok.

Last year, the Ukrainian military said its forces had captured more than 700 Russian troops during operations in the Kursk region

Videos from the Ukrainian unit tasked with interacting with the Russians in Kursk give a unique window into the 6-month-old occupation.

The General Staff of Ukraine reported that Kyiv's operation in the Kursk region has been ongoing for six months. Russia has lost nearly 40,000 soldiers there during this period. Over 16,000 have been killed,