Russia predicted on Thursday it would swiftly recapture the rest of its western Kursk region from Ukrainian troops who grabbed a foothold there last August and have clung on for more than seven months in one of the key battles of the war.

Russia's military says it has recaptured almost all areas of the country's Kursk region previously seized by Ukrainian forces.

The ball on a ceasefire deal is now in Russia's court, Ukrainian, U.S. and European officials said on Tuesday.