Russia occupies four villages in Ukraine's Sumy region

Russian forces have occupied four villages in Ukraine's northeastern Sumy region, according to the local governor.

According to foreign media, the region was used by Ukrainian forces to seize part of Russia's Kursk region in a surprise offensive last year, before Russia regained control there by April.

Sumy Governor Oleh Hryhorov wrote in a post that "the enemy is continuing its efforts to advance with the aim of creating a so-called buffer zone."

He said that the villages of Novenke, Basivka, Veselivka and Zhuravka had been occupied and that the local residents had been evacuated.

This move comes as Russia continues to intensify pressure on Ukraine as it advances into the northeast of the country. (A2 Televizion)