In a recent statement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky firmly disputed assertions made by Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the situation of Ukrainian troops in the Kursk region. Zelensky accused Putin of “lying” about the presence of Ukrainian forces, emphasizing that they have not been encircled by Russian military units. This declaration follows Ukraine's bold incursion into Kursk in August, marking the first ground invasion of Russia by a foreign entity since World War II.
The strategic campaign launched by Ukraine aimed to redirect Russian resources from the eastern front lines while simultaneously securing territory that could potentially be exchanged for Ukrainian land currently occupied by Russia. Despite facing setbacks in Kursk, Zelensky and military analysts have questioned Putin's claims, which were also echoed by former US President Donald Trump. Putin asserted that Russian forces had “isolated” Ukrainian troops in Kursk, suggesting that escape was “impossible” for them.
On Thursday, Putin stated, “There will only be two options: surrender or die,” regarding the captured Ukrainian forces. The following day, Trump amplified these claims after a so-called “productive” conversation with the Russian leader. He stated, “At this very moment, thousands of Ukrainian troops are completely surrounded by the Russian military, and in a very bad and vulnerable position,” while expressing his hope that Putin would spare Ukrainian lives to prevent a “horrible massacre.”
Despite the assertions from both Putin and Trump, Ukrainian officials, along with independent analysts, have disputed these claims. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a US-based conflict monitoring organization, reported on Friday that there is “no geolocated evidence” to suggest that Russian forces have encircled a significant number of Ukrainian troops in Kursk or anywhere else along the frontline. Ukraine's military has labeled the allegations as “false and fabricated,” asserting that they are intended for political manipulation aimed at pressuring Ukraine and its allies.
In response to the encirclement claims, Ukraine's military stated, “There is no threat of encirclement of our units,” adding that their forces in Kursk have “successfully regrouped” following Russian offensives and have “withdrawn to more advantageous defensive positions.” On Saturday, President Zelensky confirmed that he had received updates from Ukraine’s commander in chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, reiterating that Ukrainian troops have not been encircled and are actively repelling advances from Russian and North Korean forces.
While some Russian military bloggers claim that Ukraine is losing ground in Kursk, others have also questioned the reports of Ukrainian forces being encircled. The ISW suggested that Putin’s exaggerated claims about the situation in Kursk could be a tactic to distract from his inconsistent stance on a US-backed ceasefire proposal. Ukraine had agreed to this proposal during discussions with US officials in Saudi Arabia, while Putin offered vague responses, initially claiming agreement before suggesting the deal was “incomplete.”
It is widely acknowledged that Ukrainian forces are facing challenges in Kursk, as evidenced by Moscow's announcement of the recapture of Sudzha, a significant town previously under Ukrainian control. This development further diminishes Kyiv’s bargaining power in potential negotiations with Russia. On Saturday, Russia’s Defense Ministry released a video from Sudzha, verified by CNN, showcasing the devastation in the area, including destroyed residential homes and casualties from the ongoing conflict.
