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Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared that Ukrainian soldiers captured in the Kursk region will be treated as terrorists, a move that could further escalate tensions in the ongoing conflict.
During his visit to the region, Putin, dressed in military attire, asserted that Russian forces had regained control of 86% of the territory and were working towards fully securing the area.
Valery Gerasimov, the Chief of the Russian General Staff, stated that Ukrainian troops in Kursk were encircled and that efforts to neutralize them were underway. Putin emphasized that captured Ukrainian soldiers should not be considered traditional prisoners of war but rather classified as terrorists, suggesting that international conventions on warfare may not apply to them.
This development follows a pattern of actions by Russian authorities. Earlier this year, seven Ukrainian soldiers were convicted in Moscow and sentenced to lengthy prison terms on charges of terrorism. According to Russian courts, these soldiers had illegally entered Russian territory, engaged in combat, and allegedly targeted both military and civilian populations.
Meanwhile, disturbing reports have emerged suggesting that Ukrainian troops who were surrounded in Kursk Oblast may have been executed. Ukraine’s Human Rights Commissioner, Dmytro Lubinets, has condemned these alleged actions, calling for an international investigation and arguing that they violate the Geneva Conventions, which protect prisoners of war.
On the global stage, these developments are raising serious concerns. The United States has resumed military aid to Ukraine after a temporary pause, with Washington urging both sides to consider a ceasefire. U.S. officials are set to meet with Putin later this week to push for a 30-day truce, while President Trump has hinted at financial consequences for Russia if it refuses.
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European leaders are also increasing their involvement. Defense ministers from several key NATO countries, including France, Germany, and the UK, recently met in Paris to coordinate their military support for Ukraine. Poland, in particular, has called for the transfer of U.S. nuclear weapons onto its territory, citing security concerns over Russia’s actions.
Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, the fighting continues. Russian forces claim they are close to eliminating Ukrainian resistance in Kursk, particularly in the town of Sudzha, while Ukraine has reported successfully intercepting dozens of Russian drone attacks on major cities.
As the conflict escalates, international leaders are closely watching the situation, with concerns mounting over the treatment of captured Ukrainian soldiers and the broader humanitarian impact of the war. Whether a ceasefire will be reached or the violence will intensify remains to be seen.
