The General Staff added that this information is being spread by Russia for “political purposes and to pressure Ukraine and its partners.” They also noted that the situation on the front line had not significantly changed in the past 24 hours.

Russia claimed to retake a key town in the area from Ukrainian forces. Ukraine’s top military commander has said that its forces would continue to “hold the line.”

Fighting is currently ongoing in the Kursk region, and Ukrainian forces have likely been forced to withdraw. Why did this happen, what led up to it, why did Putin visit Kursk, and what could this mean for future negotiations?