Moscow/Kyiv, March 15, 2025 – Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that Ukrainian soldiers in Russia's western Kursk region will be spared if Kyiv orders them to surrender, following an appeal from U.S. President Donald Trump to avoid a “horrible massacre.”
Ukraine, however, dismissed claims of encirclement as Russian disinformation, though President Volodymyr Zelenskiy acknowledged that the situation remained “very difficult.”
Trump, in a social media post, said he had personally urged Putin to spare the lives of “thousands of Ukrainians” who he claimed were “completely surrounded” and at risk of annihilation.
“I have strongly requested President Putin to spare their lives. This would be a horrible massacre, one not seen since World War II,” Trump wrote.
Putin’s Response
Speaking to his Security Council, Putin confirmed he had seen Trump’s appeal. While accusing Ukrainian forces of terrorism against civilians—a claim Kyiv rejects—Putin signaled a willingness to consider humanitarian concerns.
“If Ukrainian troops lay down their arms and surrender, they will be guaranteed life and decent treatment in accordance with international law and the laws of the Russian Federation,” Putin stated. However, he emphasized that Kyiv must issue an official order for its forces to surrender to ensure their safety.
Meanwhile, Dmitry Medvedev, former Russian president and current deputy chairman of the Security Council, warned Ukraine that refusing to surrender would lead to “methodical and merciless destruction.”
Escalating Tensions in Kursk
The Kursk region has emerged as a key battleground since August 2024, when Ukraine, nearly two and a half years into Russia’s full-scale invasion, breached Russian territory for the first time. Now, Moscow is intensifying efforts to reclaim control, while Washington pushes for a broader ceasefire.
On Thursday, Putin claimed Ukrainian forces were trapped and faced a stark choice: “surrender or die.” However, Ukraine’s General Staff dismissed Russian claims of encirclement as false narratives aimed at political manipulation.
“Ukrainian Defense Forces have successfully regrouped, withdrawn to more advantageous positions, and are continuing their operations within the Kursk region,” a statement from Kyiv read.
Zelenskiy, while downplaying the Russian version of events, credited Ukrainian troops in Kursk for diverting Russian forces from other key battlefronts.
“I can only thank our warriors for the Kursk operation. I believe it fulfilled its task,” he said.
Developments on the Ground
Russia’s Defense Ministry announced that its forces had recaptured Goncharovka, one of the last Ukrainian-held settlements in Kursk. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Border Guard Service claimed it had repelled a Russian reconnaissance group attempting to infiltrate Sumy, a Ukrainian region bordering Kursk.
With Kursk now at the center of the war’s latest flashpoint, diplomatic and military tensions between Moscow, Kyiv, and Washington continue to escalate, with the potential for significant geopolitical consequences.
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