Ukraine on Friday swiftly denied U.S. President Donald Trump's claim that thousands of its soldiers were encircled in Kursk and left vulnerable.
Trump wrote on social media that "thousands of Ukrainian troops are completely surrounded by the Russian military and in a very bad and vulnerable position," urging Russian President Putin to spare their lives.
In response, Putin acknowledged Trump's appeal and accused the Ukrainian troops of committing multiple crimes against civilians in Kursk.
If the Ukrainian forces surrender, their lives will be guaranteed and they will be treated in accordance with international laws and Russian federal regulations, said Putin, adding that Ukrainian leaders must order their troops to lay down arms and surrender, so as to implement Trump's request.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine dismissed the reports of encirclement as fabricated misinformation by Russia, aiming at exerting political pressure on Ukraine and its allies.
The situation in Kursk had not significantly changed in the past day, and Ukrainian forces regrouped and retreated to more advantageous positions, with no threat of encirclement, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said in a statement on the day.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the mission of Ukrainian troops in Kursk was to divert Russian forces from other directions, and that their goals in the region were successfully achieved.
Ukraine rejects Trump's claim of troops encircled by Russian Forces
