Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said on Friday that Ukrainian troops remaining in the Kursk region of Russia will be ruthlessly destroyed if they continue to fight. Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier responded to U.

Russia has warned that Ukrainian troops in Kursk must surrender or face destruction. Putin acknowledged Trump’s plea to spare their lives but insists Kyiv must order them to lay down arms. Ukraine denies the encirclement but admits the situation is difficult.

President Trump and President Vladimir V. Putin both claimed that Ukrainian forces were surrounded. Ukraine’s top military commander vowed to “hold the line.”