The repositioning could be a prelude to a complete Ukrainian withdrawal from Kursk back to the relative safety of northern Ukraine. Shrugging off at least one raid by a Ukrainian

Butusov wrote on Facebook on March 8 that Russian troops had used a gas pipeline to approach Ukrainian positions in Sudzha in Kursk Oblast. He added that the troops are being "liquidated."

Earlier, Ukraine’s General Staff said its forces in Kursk Oblast repelled 44 Russian attacks over the past day. Read also: Russia intensifies bid to oust Ukrainian forces from Kursk Oblast Russia also launched 30 airstrikes with 44 guided bombs and fired 577 artillery rounds,