**Ukraine Denies Troop Encirclement in Kursk Oblast**
The General Staff of Ukraine has denied claims that Ukrainian troops are surrounded by Russian forces in the Kursk Oblast region. The statement was made on March 14, amid Russia’s ongoing offensive in the area.
Russia had been claiming that Ukrainian forces were encircled in Kursk Oblast “for political purposes and to put pressure on Ukraine and its partners.” However, Ukraine’s General Staff said that Russian troops have not succeeded in encircling their units. Instead, they claim that Ukrainian soldiers are fighting back and completing their assigned tasks.
**US President Trump Calls for Spared Troops**
US President Donald Trump had earlier called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to “spare” surrounded Ukrainian troops. However, Ukraine’s General Staff did not confirm the claims of encirclement. They said that Russian forces were trying to put pressure on Ukraine and its partners through their claims.
**Kursk Oblast Situation**
Ukraine launched a cross-border incursion into Kursk Oblast in August 2024, capturing around 1,300 square kilometers (500 square miles) of Russian territory. However, since then, Russian forces, aided by North Korean troops, have pushed back against Ukrainian forces.
**Kyiv’s Response**
Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi acknowledged the “difficult situation” in Kursk Oblast but said that Ukraine will hold its defenses “as long as reasonable and necessary.” The situation remains uncertain, with Russia claiming to have retaken over 86% of seized territories in the region.
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