Russian President Vladimir Putin made a surprise visit to troops in the western Kursk region on Wednesday, donning military fatigues and ordering forces to press forward with their advance to fully reclaim the area from Ukrainian control.
The visit came after Washington presented Moscow with a U.S.-backed 30-day ceasefire proposal that Ukraine has already agreed to. Meanwhile, Russian troops pushed deeper into the region, forcing Ukrainian units to retreat and cede control of Sudzha, a strategic border town.
Putin said Moscow was considering establishing a new security buffer in Ukraine’s Sumy region to prevent future incursions by Ukrainian forces. He also declared that foreign fighters captured in Kursk would not be granted Geneva Convention protections and that Ukrainian prisoners would be treated as "terrorists."
"Our task in the near future, in the shortest possible timeframe, is to decisively defeat the enemy entrenched in the Kursk region and still fighting here," Putin said during his visit. "We must fully liberate the territory and restore security along the state border."
Russia's top military officer, General Valery Gerasimov, reported that 86% of the territory Ukraine seized in Kursk last year had been reclaimed, amounting to around 1,100 square kilometers. He added that Russian forces had retaken 24 settlements in the past five days, capturing over 400 Ukrainian troops in the process.
Ukrainian forces, which had crossed into Kursk in August last year in a surprise offensive, now face an increasingly untenable position, with major supply lines severed. Deep State, a Ukrainian military tracking site, confirmed that Russian troops had entered Sudzha but noted that fighting continued on the outskirts.
Ukraine's top military commander stated that troops would remain in Kursk "as long as necessary," but some military bloggers suggested that a full withdrawal was imminent. "There will be no Ukrainian soldier there by Friday," wrote the pro-Ukrainian Skadovskyi Defender channel.
Despite Russian gains, Ukraine has continued to strike back, launching drone and artillery attacks on Russian positions in Sudzha. Meanwhile, Kyiv has remained silent on whether it will accept the proposed ceasefire terms being offered to Moscow.
The Kremlin has yet to formally respond to the U.S. proposal, but senior Russian officials indicated any agreement would need to reflect Moscow’s battlefield gains and security demands.
The fighting in Kursk underscores the shifting momentum in the war and the challenges facing any potential peace deal. With both sides doubling down on their military strategies, the conflict remains poised at a critical juncture.
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Reports of so-called “acid clouds” moving from Iran towards Central Asia are not supported by scientific data, national hydrometeorological services in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan say, adding there is no threat to the region.
Tensions in the region remained high on Tuesday (10 March), as the United States and Iran exchanged increasingly sharp warnings, including threats over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil supplies.
Global oil prices surpassed $119 a barrel on Monday (9 March, 2026), an almost four year high, as the Middle East conflict rumbled on.
China has urged Afghanistan and Pakistan to resolve their dispute through dialogue after Chinese envoy Yue Xiaoyong met Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, as fighting between the two neighbours entered its eleventh day.
Entry and exit across the state border between Azerbaijan and Iran for all types of cargo vehicles, including those in transit, will resume on 9 March, according to a statement by the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan.
Iran named Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed his father Ali Khamenei as supreme leader on Monday (9 March), signaling that hardliners remain firmly in charge, as the week-old U.S.-Israeli war with Iran pushed oil above $100 a barrel.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, has addressed the U.N. Security Council, saying the world must consider how effective its engagement with the Taliban-run country is as millions face hunger.
British MPs have rejected a proposal to introduce an Australia-style ban on social media for under-16s, opting instead to give ministers flexible powers to impose restrictions on platforms.
Australia has granted humanitarian visas to five Iranian women footballers who sought asylum, fearing persecution after refusing to sing their national anthem at an Asia Cup match.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 10th of March, covering the latest developments you need to know.
U.S. President Donald Trump called his recent phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin “very good.” The two leaders spoke on Monday about the situation in Iran and other international issues.
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