Ukrainian forces are under intense pressure in Russia's Kursk region, where they grabbed a chunk of land last August and have held on to it through more than seven months of fierce fighting.

Russia claimed on Friday that its forces had recaptured another settlement in the Kursk region, which was captured by Ukraine during last year’s incursion. "Units of the Sever (North) Group of Forces liberated the settlement of Goncharovka during offensive operations," the Defense Ministry said in a statement.