Russian state media and pro-war bloggers shared videos on Wednesday showing Russian troops raising flags in the town of Sudzha in the southwestern Kursk region. A Telegram channel linked to Russia’s Airborne Troops published a short aerial video showing soldiers unfurling a Russian flag alongside unit banners in Sudzha’s central square early

Kyiv hints it is pulling troops back amid Russian advances, despite having hoped to use its hold on area as a bargaining chip in peace talks President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday expressed hope his army was on the brink of "fully liberating" Russia's Kursk region,