Russian forces have recaptured two settlements in the country's western Kursk region where Ukrainian troops broke across the border and seized a chunk of territory last August, the Russian Defence Ministry said on Wednesday.

KYIV - Russian infantry are storming the Ukrainian border from the Russian region of Kursk, near areas of the region that are controlled by Ukrainian forces, Kyiv said on Feb 28. Ukraine said that for the moment the offensive has been contained.

Russian Defense Ministry says forces regained control of Novaya Sorochina captured by Ukraine during last year's incursion - Anadolu Ajansı

Russian forces have taken back more than 800 square km (309 square miles) of territory from Ukraine in the Kursk region of western Russia, or about 64% of the total taken by Ukraine since an incursion began last year,

President Vladimir Putin told Russian media on Feb. 18 that Russian forces had crossed into Ukrainian territory from Kursk Oblast, a claim General Staff spokesperson Dmytro Lykhovyi has dismissed as part of a disinformation campaign.

Russia's Defense Ministry claims that its troops continue to advance and push Ukrainian forces out of the salient. Kyiv has not commented on purportedly lost settlements in Kursk Oblast.

Russian forces have taken Velyka Novosilka in Ukraine’s Donetsk region, continuing their push to control eastern Ukraine. Ukraine confirmed the withdrawal but stated troops still hold positions on the town’s outskirts.