Ukrainian special forces destroy Russian equipment in Kursk Oblast – video The Russian army deployed an enormous amount of personnel and equipment, with tanks fitted with mine-clearing trailers leading enemy convoys.

Russia and Ukraine traded attacks in the Kursk region this week as Moscow looks to continue clawing back its territory. Meanwhile, Russian forces appear to have taken the eastern city of Kurakhove but failed to encircle the Ukrainian forces there.

"Their (Ukraine's) position in Kursk is an important one because certainly it's something that would factor in any negotiation that may come about in the coming year," Blinken told reporters in Seoul.