Ukraine forces in Kursk isolated, destroyed: Russian chief of staff
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Russian chief of staff Valery Gerasimov says the Ukrainian forces that had invaded the Kursk region were isolated and systemically destroyed.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during a visit to military headquarters in the Kursk region of Russia, Wednesday, March 12, 2025 (Russian Presidential Press Service via AP)
Ukraine's military group in Russia's Kursk Region has been isolated, and Russian forces are systematically destroying it, Russian Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov said on Wednesday during a visit by President Vladimir Putin to a command center in the region.
"The operation to destroy the enemy on Kursk land continues. The Ukrainian armed forces group has been isolated, and its systematic destruction is underway," Gerasimov stated.
According to Gerasimov, Russian troops have crossed the state border in several areas of the Kursk Region and entered Ukraine's Sumy Region. He added that Russian forces continue their operation with the objective of reaching the Russian state border as soon as possible.
Gerasimov asserted that Ukraine's military plans to establish a strategic foothold in the Kursk region and disrupt Russian advances in other areas had completely failed.
"Kiev aimed to create a bridgehead in the Kursk region and use it as a bargaining chip in negotiations with Russia," he said. However, he emphasized that these plans had been thwarted.
Russia making serious progress
Putin, who visited Kursk amid ongoing military operations, received reports on Russia's progress in regaining control of the area.
The Russian military has regained over 1,100 square kilometers (424 square miles) of territory in the Kursk region, which accounts for more than 86% of the area previously under Ukrainian control, Gerasimov reported.
"In the past five days alone, Russian forces have regained control of 24 settlements and 259 square kilometers of territory," he added.
Gerasimov also claimed that Ukraine had suffered significant losses in the region, stating that more than 67,000 Ukrainian personnel—including highly trained units and foreign mercenaries—had been killed in the fighting.
Ukrainian POWs to be treated as terrorists
During his visit to the Kursk command center, Putin addressed the status of Ukrainian soldiers captured by Russian forces, stating that they should be treated as terrorists under Russian law.
According to Gerasimov, Russian forces have taken 430 Ukrainian service members captive in the Kursk region.
"A counter-terrorist operation regime has been in effect in Kursk since Ukraine launched its offensive in August 2024," Putin noted, emphasizing that the safety of Russian citizens remained a priority.
The developments come as Russia continues to assert control over territories previously occupied by Ukrainian forces, framing its operations in the Kursk region as a strategic victory.
10,000 soldiers risk encirclement
The Telegraph newspaper revealed Saturday that around 10,000 Ukrainian army members were at risk of being encircled in Russia's Kursk Region.
According to the publication, Russian soldiers burst through the front line and moved from two sides toward a major supply corridor, putting Ukrainian forces at risk of being encircled.
An unidentified Ukrainian soldier told the publication that the Ukrainian command is considering withdrawing from the Kursk region to avoid more losses.
The end of intelligence cooperation by the US has aggravated the deteriorating position of Ukrainian forces. The US has temporarily suspended intelligence sharing with Ukraine following a notable rift between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky, CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirmed on Wednesday. The decision comes after a public disagreement between the two leaders during a meeting in the Oval Office last week, which also led to the suspension of critical US military aid to Ukraine.
