Russian forces say they have successfully pushed Ukrainian troops out of Guyevo, a village in Russia’s Kursk region. They also launched air and artillery attacks on Ukrainian positions across the border.

According to Russia’s Defence Ministry, this marks more progress in their goal to drive Ukrainian forces out of Kursk. Since August last year, Russia has been trying to reclaim parts of the region after Ukrainian troops made a surprise move into the area.

That attack had embarrassed Russian President Vladimir Putin, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hoped it would give Ukraine an advantage in future peace talks.

Now, Russian troops have taken back large areas in Kursk and are forcing Ukrainian soldiers closer to the border. Russia is also beginning to take land in Ukraine’s nearby Sumy region. President Putin recently mentioned that Russia may create a buffer zone to protect its territory.

The Russian Defence Ministry also said that their forces defeated Ukrainian troops in battles around two other villages.