MOSCOW, March 14 — President Vladimir Putin said yesterday that Russia had trapped the remaining Ukrainian soldiers in its western Kursk region, where they have clung on for more than seven months in one of the key battles of the war.

MOSCOW, March 13 — President Vladimir Putin donned military fatigues for a surprise visit to troops in Russia's western Kursk region yesterday where he ordered them to press their lightning advance and swiftly retake the rest of the area from Ukrainian forces.

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 12 — Malaysians in Kursk, Russia, are advised to remain vigilant and follow advisories issued by the Malaysian embassy in Moscow.