Ukrainian military acknowledges tactical withdrawal as Russian forces assert territorial gains.
The Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, Valery Gerasimov, reported to President Vladimir Putin that Russian troops captured 430 Ukrainian soldiers during recent advancements in the Kursk region, which borders Ukraine.
Ukrainian Army Commander Oleksandr Syrskyi confirmed today that Ukrainian forces are repositioning to other positions within the Kursk area, where Russian forces claim to have rapidly regained control of parts of the territory in recent days.
Gerasimov stated, as reported by Russian state television, that the Ukrainian military, recognizing the futility of continued resistance, has begun actively surrendering.
He asserted that the captured soldiers would be treated as terrorists, reflecting a directive from Putin regarding the handling of POWs.
Commander Syrskyi emphasized the priority of protecting the lives of Ukrainian servicemen, indicating that defensive units will relocate to more favorable positions if necessary.
This strategic repositioning was communicated via a
Facebook post, utilizing terminology akin to both Russian and Ukrainian forces to signify a tactical withdrawal.
In a directive issued during his visit to the Kursk region, Putin ordered his military to "fully liberate" the territory.
His visit marked the first since Ukrainian forces launched a surprise offensive in August 2024, which initially allowed them to capture several hundred square kilometers of the region.
Following this, Russian forces have made significant efforts in recent months to expel Ukrainian troops from the contested area.