The Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a US-based think tank that maps the frontline, said Ukraine had made advances into the southern outskirts of Berdin. It is to the northeast of the city of Sudzha, the most significant area held by Ukraine since the start of the first assault five months ago.

In a fresh blow to Russian President Vladimir Putin, at least two colonels were killed in a drone strike in Ukraine as two tanks, a demolition unit and a dozen armored vehicles were used in the "count

Ukrainian forces started a surprising ground offense against Russia in August in the Kursk region but then began to lose ground after Russia deployed up to 12,000 North Korean troops in the region in its nearly three-year-long war in Ukraine.

Russia is demanding the United Nations condemn Kyiv following an alleged drone attack that it claims killed a journalist working for a Russian outlet and injured several others.

Russia launched 38 Shahed-type attack drones and unidentified dummy drones against Ukraine overnight, the Air Force reported. Twenty-eight drones were shot down, and 10 were lost in the airspace, according to the statement.