Putin visits Kursk region for first time since Ukraine attacked it

Russian President Vladimir Putin has visited the western Russian region of Kursk for the first time since Ukrainian forces seized some territory in the region, Reuters reports.

Putin, wearing a military uniform, appeared on Russian state television visiting a control centre in Kursk region used by Russian troops.

"Indeed, in the shortest possible time is to finally defeat the enemy entrenched in the Kursk region and still conducting defensive actions here," Putin said, addressing Russia's top military brass.

Putin heard a report from Valery Gerasimov, head of the Russian General Staff, who told him that Ukrainian troops in the Kursk region were now surrounded.

"Its systematic destruction is underway," Gerasimov said.

Putin said Russian forces should completely liberate the region from the Ukrainian troops as soon as possible, the news agencies reported.

Putin said Russia should treat Ukrainian soldiers captured as prisoners of war in Kursk Region as terrorist.