Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday his troops had strengthened positions and expanded territory in Russia's Kursk region nearly two weeks into their incursion, Paralel.Az reports citing Reuters.

Ukraine says it has seized more than 80 settlements over 1,150 square km (444 square miles) in Kursk since Aug. 6 in the biggest invasion of Russia since World War Two.

Zelenskyy said his army chief Oleksander Syrskyi had reported that Ukrainian troops continued their advance and also took more Russian servicemen as prisoners.

"Thank you to all the soldiers and commanders who are taking Russian military prisoners and bringing the release of our soldiers and civilians held by Russia closer," Zelenskyy said in a statement on the Telegram messaging app.

"General Syrskyi also reported on strengthening our forces' positions in the Kursk region and expanding the stabilised territory."