Ukraine captures 100 Russian soldiers who were ABANDONED by terrified commanders

The footage was posted to Zelensky’s social media channels.

In a summary of the situation, the Ukrainian President said: “We are advancing in the Kursk region, one to two kilometers in various areas since the beginning of the day.

“We have captured more than 100 Russian servicemen during this period.

“I am grateful to everyone involved; this will accelerate the return of our guys and girls home.”

The update comes after Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets held talks with his Russian counterpart Tatyana Moskalkova regarding a potential a prisoner exchange.

Ukraine, which was invaded by Vladimir Putin in February 2022, launched its surprise incursion into Russian territory on August 6.

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More than 120,000 people have been evacuated from Kursk since August 6, Kremlin officials have claimed.

Russia's Belgorod border region yesterday declared a regional emergency after heavy Ukrainian shelling.

A federal emergency had already been declared in Kursk on Saturday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed the incursion is an attempt by Kyiv to stop Moscow's offensive in the Donbas region.

Zelensky’s top ally Mykhailo Podolyak has also admitted that the incursion may strengthen Kyiv's hand in future negotiations with Russia.

However, a Ukrainian foreign ministry spokesman argued the cross-border operation was primarily aimed at protecting the ex-Soviet state from long-range strikes launched from Kursk.

The UK claimed Ukraine has a "clear right" to use weapons donated by Britain for its self-defence and stressed that "does not preclude operations inside Russia".

An MoD spokesperson says Ukraine has a "clear right of self-defence against Russia's illegal attacks...that does not preclude operations inside Russia".

"We make clear during the gifting process that equipment is to be used in line with international law," they added.