Russia retakes control of two settlements in Kursk region - defence ministry

Russia claims to have retaken control of two villages in the Kursk region.

Kremlin troops have been launching offensives in the the border region, where Ukrainian forces have had a foothold in Russian territory for months despite heavy fighting.

The villages of Rubanshchina and Zaoleshenka are now under Russian control, the Russian defence ministry said on Sunday.

Ukrainian soldiers are losing their foothold on the region after Russia's advances but claims that "thousands" are at risk of being encircled have been dismissed by Sky News defence analyst Michael Clarke.

"I don't think they're in that situation at the moment, but undoubtedly, as we've been saying for the last 24 hours, if they're going to get out they have to get out now," he said yesterday.