Russian President Vladimir Putin paid a rare visit to the western Kursk region, his first since Ukrainian forces captured land in the region. Wearing a pixelated military uniform, Putin was seen on Russian state television as he visited a military control center employed by Russian forces.
In his speech to senior military leaders, Putin emphasized the importance of destroying Ukrainian troops still present in defensive positions in Kursk. “The priority is to quickly rout the enemy entrenched in the area,” he announced.
Russia’s Chief of General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, reported to Putin on the state of the military, stating that Ukrainian troops in Kursk were now surrounded. “Their systematic destruction is underway,” reported Gerasimov.
Putin called on Russian troops to take the area back entirely from Ukrainian forces as rapidly as possible. He also made a contentious move on the captured Ukrainian troops, declaring that they would not be accorded the status of prisoner-of-war as outlined in the Geneva Conventions. Instead, he proposed that they be treated as terrorists.
“They should be treated as terrorists who commit crimes against civilians and fight our military in Kursk,” Putin said. He further asserted that Russia is not going to use international conventions of war on foreign fighters on behalf of Ukraine.
The visit follows mounting tensions and fierce fighting along Russia’s western border. Although Ukrainian troops have gained some ground, Russia is fighting back with intense military attacks. Putin’s words mark a toughening of Russia’s position on captured troops and determination to reclaim Kursk in full.
As the situation continues to change quickly, the Kremlin is steadfast in its stance, while the world watches closely as Russia declares Ukrainian combatants terrorists.
