Russia Commences Demining Operations in Kursk Border Areas
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Synopsis
On March 15, Russian engineering units began demining efforts in the Kursk region's reclaimed border areas. These actions aim to restore infrastructure and boost economic activities post-conflict, as confirmed by the Russian Defence Ministry. Ukrainian President Zelensky refuted claims of Ukrainian encirclement in the region, asserting ongoing operations.
Key Takeaways
- Russian engineering units initiate demining in Kursk.
- Efforts focus on restoring key infrastructure.
- Ukrainian President Zelensky denies encirclement claims.
- Russian forces are reportedly withdrawing.
- Concerns arise over Russian troop buildup near Sumy.
Moscow, March 15 (NationPress) Russian engineering units have initiated demining operations in the reclaimed border regions of the Kursk area, as reported by the Russian Defence Ministry on Saturday.
The primary objective of these efforts is to aid in the reconstruction of vital infrastructure and to help resume economic activities following extensive combat, as stated by the ministry.
The ministry further disclosed that the engineering units have unearthed munitions that are banned by the Geneva Convention.
In recent weeks, Russian forces have successfully reclaimed a significant portion of territories that were previously seized by Ukraine during its unexpected cross-border offensive in the Kursk region last August.
In a related development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denied allegations on Saturday that Ukrainian forces had been encircled in Russia's western Kursk region.
“Our operations in specific parts of the Kursk region are ongoing,” Zelensky mentioned in a Telegram update, asserting that Ukrainian troops were not surrounded.
He indicated that the presence of Ukrainian forces in the Kursk area has led to the withdrawal of a considerable number of Russian troops from various fronts.
Zelensky also cautioned that Russia is gathering its forces along Ukraine's eastern border, with intentions to launch an attack on the northeastern Sumy region.
On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed that Ukrainian soldiers currently in the Kursk region would be assured safety if they surrender, according to Xinhua news agency.
“Those who lay down their arms will be guaranteed life and treated with dignity as per international law and the Russian Federation's laws,” he stated during a meeting with members of the Russian Security Council.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump remarked on Friday that his administration had engaged in “very productive discussions” with Putin, expressing optimism that the “horrible, bloody war” could eventually conclude.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed that numerous Ukrainian troops were currently surrounded by Russian forces and urged Putin to spare their lives.
Putin noted that for Trump's suggestion to be implemented, Ukraine's leadership must instruct its forces to surrender.
Earlier on Friday, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces refuted claims that Ukrainian troops had been encircled in Russia's western Kursk region.
The Ukrainian army initiated an offensive into Russia's Kursk region in August, capturing approximately 1,300 square kilometers of territory. As Russian forces have intensified their counteroffensive in recent weeks, the situation for Ukrainian troops in the region is reportedly worsening rapidly.
