Putin dons combat uniform as he pledges to retake Kursk

Vladimir Putin has vowed to retake Ukrainian-controlled territory in Kursk region, .Symbolically wearing army fatigues for the first time since ‘s surprise offensive of the Russian mainland in August, the Russian President visited a control centre used by Russian troops

He listened to a report from his most senior Army general, Valery Gerasimov, who assured the President that Ukrainian troops in Kursk were now completely encircled by Russian forces. Putin has so far resisted calls to join Ukrainian President ​ in a 30-day truce, despite threats from that would suffer “devastating” sanctions if it did not comply.

The US President confirmed that his negotiators were heading to “right now”.

“We could do things very bad for . It would be devastating for . But I don’t want to do that because I want to see peace, and we’re getting close to maybe getting something done,” said Trump

“People are going to right now as we speak. And hopefully, we can get a ceasefire from . And if we do, I think that would be 80 percent of the way to getting this horrible bloodbath finished.”

The White House later confirmed that special envoy, Steve Witkoff, was going to Moscow later this week.

’s successful summer offensive gave Kyiv important extra leverage ahead of any peace deal brokered by Trump – and was a bitter humiliation for the Russian leader.

But Kyiv is thought to no long​er completely control Sudzha, the largest settlement that seized in Kursk.

Now Putin is thought to want to drag any truce process ​out so as to recapture lost territory.

He expressed hopes that his army was on the brink of “fully liberating” Kursk after it claimed to have retaken 24 settlements in the past five days.

“I am counting on the fact that all the combat tasks facing our units will be fulfilled, and the territory of the Kursk region will soon be completely liberated from the enemy,” he said on state television.

Their “systematic destruction is underway,” said Putin’s most senior general, Valery Gerasimov,

’s army commander-in-chief, Gen Oleksandr Syrski, said the Russian military was suffering huge personnel and equipment losses while trying to achieve “political gains” by attempting to oust Ukrainian troops.

Gen Syrsk suggested his troops were pulling back to minimise losses.

“In the most difficult situation, my priority has been and remains saving the lives of Ukrainian soldiers. To this end, the units of the defence forces, if necessary, manoeuvre to more favourable positions,” he said, using terms which euphemistically describe a withdrawal.

“The enemy is using assault units of airborne troops and special operations forces to break through our defences, oust our troops out of the Kursk region and move fighting to the territory of Sumy and Kharkiv regions.”