Putin Orders Swift Elimination Of Ukrainian Forces In Kursk As Pressure Mounts On Russia To Accept 30-Day Ceasefire Proposal

Russian President Vladimir Putin has instructed his top military commanders to eliminate Ukrainian forces in the western Kursk region as swiftly as possible, as reported by The Hindu.

His orders come amid renewed diplomatic pressure from the United States, which has urged Russia to consider a 30-day ceasefire proposal.

The conflict in Kursk escalated after Ukrainian forces breached the Russian border on 6 August 2024, capturing 1,300 square kilometers (500 square miles) of territory.

The incursion was seen as an effort to divert Moscow’s focus from eastern Ukraine and gain leverage in future negotiations.

However, Russia’s rapid counteroffensive has significantly shrunk Ukraine’s hold in Kursk. The Russian military now reports that Ukrainian forces control less than 200 square kilometers (77 square miles)—a stark reduction from their earlier gains.

"Our task in the near future, in the shortest possible timeframe, is to decisively defeat the enemy entrenched in the Kursk region," Putin declared in a televised address on Wednesday. He further emphasized the need to establish a security buffer along the state border to prevent future incursions.

General Valery Gerasimov, Russia’s Chief of General Staff, briefed Putin on the progress of the counteroffensive, stating that Russian forces have retaken 86 per cent of previously occupied Kursk territory—equivalent to 1,100 square kilometers (425 square miles).

Gerasimov asserted that Ukraine's strategic objective of using Kursk as a bargaining chip in negotiations has failed. 

Over the past five days, Russian forces have reclaimed 24 settlements and 259 square kilometers (100 square miles) of land, capturing more than 400 Ukrainian soldiers in the process.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed on Thursday (13 March) that Russia’s operation in Kursk is now in its final stage, according to state news agency TASS.

Meanwhile, the United States has agreed to resume weapons supplies and intelligence sharing with Ukraine after Kyiv indicated its willingness to back a ceasefire proposal during talks in Saudi Arabia.

While Washington has warned Moscow of potential financial consequences if it refuses to negotiate, the Kremlin has taken a cautious stance. On Wednesday, it confirmed that it is "carefully studying" the outcomes of the US-backed discussions and awaits further details.