On March 9, according to a report by RIA Novosti on March 8, the deputy director of the General Directorate of Military and Political Affairs of the Russian Ministry of Defense and the commander of the "Akhmat" special forces, Major General Apudi Araudinov, announced on the "Telegram" platform on the 8th that the Russian army has switched to a large-scale offensive across the board in Kursk Oblast. Araudinov said: "In all directions of the front line in Kursk, all troops have launched a large-scale offensive. The enemy is abandoning their positions and leaving the area they defended. Our soldiers are advancing very smoothly." According to the "Russia Today" (RT) TV station, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced on the 8th that Russia has liberated three villages in Kursk Oblast, marking a new progress in the battle between Russia and the Ukrainian army in the region.