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.

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the region for the first time since Kyiv’s lightning incursion and as peace talks gain steam.

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,