Russian forces have recaptured more than 800 square kilometres of territory from Ukraine in the Kursk region of western Russia, according to Sergei Rudskoy, commander of the Main Operations Directorate of the Russian military’s General Staff, Reuters reported.

He added that Russia was advancing in all directions.

This comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed on Wednesday that his troops had crossed into Ukrainian territory from the Kursk region overnight, according to state media.