Russia says recaptured 10 villages in Kursk region

Russia said Thursday its army had recaptured 10 settlements in its Kursk border region, where Ukraine last month launched a major cross-border incursion.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also conceded Russia had launched its own counter-attack in the region, but insisted that the shock incursion was still going to plan.

“Units of the ‘North’ group of troops liberated 10 settlements within two days,” Russia’s defense ministry said in a statement posted on its Telegram channel.

Ukraine claimed at the end of August to have taken control of some 100 Russian settlements and almost 1,300 square kilometers (500 square miles) of territory.

The surprise offensive, launched August 6, is the first time a foreign army has taken control of parts of Russia since World War II.

“The Russians have launched counter-offensive actions,” Zelenskyy said at a press conference in Kyiv on Thursday.

He did not provide details on the extent of Russian operations, but said the incursion was “going in line with our Ukrainian plan.”