Russian forces have recaptured Sudzha, the largest town that Ukraine once occupied in the Kursk region, according to Moscow, threatening Kyiv’s sole territorial bargaining chip amid pressure to negotiate an end to the war.

Ukrainian officials have not confirmed a retreat from the town in Russia’s Kursk region, parts of which were captured by Kyiv’s forces last summer.

Putin's visit seemed intended to boost morale as Russian forces advanced on the last remaining Ukrainian positions inside Russia. This comes after peace talks between US and Ukrainian officials, in which Kyiv agreed to a 30-day,