Moscow said on Friday that its forces had recaptured another village in their drive to dislodge Ukrainian forces from their last remaining footholds inside Russia's Kursk region. The defence ministry said Russian troops had retaken Goncharovka,

Russia claimed to retake a key town in the area from Ukrainian forces. Ukraine’s top military commander has said that its forces would continue to “hold the line.”

Russia has warned that Ukrainian troops in Kursk must surrender or face destruction. Putin acknowledged Trump’s plea to spare their lives but insists Kyiv must order them to lay down arms. Ukraine denies the encirclement but admits the situation is difficult.