MOSCOW -- Russian forces have recaptured Sudzha, a key town in the Kursk region that was previously held by Ukraine, the Russian Defense Ministry said Thursday.

"Units of the North group of forces liberated the settlements of Melovoi, Podol and Sudzha during their offensive operations," the ministry said in a statement.

Sudzha, which had been under Ukrainian control since their surprise cross-border attack in August 2024, is a crucial location for securing supplies for Ukraine's operation in the Kursk region.

The Russian military operation to retake the Kursk region has entered its final stage, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Thursday.

On Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited military command posts in Kursk, emphasizing the urgency of swiftly concluding the operation and establishing a security zone in the region.

According to Russian Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov, Russian troops have reclaimed over 1,100 square km of territory in the Kursk region, representing more than 86 percent of the area previously held by Ukraine.