Ukrainian General says they've captured 100 settlements and close to 600 Russian military officers in the Kursk Incure

Ukraine has also seized 100 settlements during its three-week encouragement, he said.

Moscow troops were trying to counterattack the area and surround Kiev's forces, but those efforts were being averted, he added.

The Guardian, who reported this news, said he could not independently verify the figures offered by Syrsky.

He said one of the objectives of the Kursk operation was to divert Russian forces from other areas, mainly away from Pokrovsk and Kurakhoe.

“The Kursk operation diverted a considerable number of its forces”, he said, noting that Russian troops had withdrawn from southern Ukraine.

So far, we can say that about 30,000 military forces have been sent to the Kursk front and that figure is on the rise”.

In Pokrovsk, a coal mining town with strategic military value as a transportation centre in which Russia has recently advanced, Syrsky said Russia was trying to break up Ukraine's front supply lines

The situation in front of Pokrovsk is quite difficult ... the enemy is using its advantage in personnel, weapons and military equipment, he is actively using artillery and aviation”, he said.