Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Russian troops in the Kursk region on Wednesday, just a day after the U.S. and Kyiv reached a ceasefire agreement. According to Russian state media, Putin inspected frontline operations and received briefings from top military officials.

This marks Putin’s first visit to Kursk since Ukrainian forces launched an unexpected cross-border attack in August 2024. The Russian president visited a command center, where Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov informed him that Ukrainian troops in the region were now completely surrounded. Putin emphasized the urgency of fully securing the area as soon as possible, according to Reuters.

“Captured Soldiers Will Be Treated as Terrorists”

General Gerasimov reported that 430 Ukrainian soldiers had been taken prisoner during the latest Russian advance.

“Realizing that resistance was futile, Ukrainian soldiers began surrendering, and 430 have been captured,” Gerasimov said in remarks broadcast on Russian state television.

President Putin stated that the captured soldiers would be classified as “terrorists,” a move likely to escalate tensions further.

“Ukraine Will Fight in Kursk for as Long as Necessary”

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s top military commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi, declared that Ukrainian forces would continue fighting in Kursk “for as long as it remains necessary and strategically viable.”

“In the most challenging situations, my priority has been and remains the safety of Ukrainian soldiers. If needed, our defense units will maneuver to more advantageous positions,” Syrskyi added.