Unexpected twist in the conflict in Ukraine: the Ukrainian army claims to be holding 27 Russian soldiers captured during fighting in the Russian region of Kursk, partially under the control of kyiv since August 2024. An unprecedented situation since the Second World War which could weigh on possible peace negotiations. The details of this shattering announcement which…
The Ukrainian army created a surprise on Thursday by announcing an unexpected fact: the capture of 27 Russian soldiers on Russian territory itself, more precisely in the Kursk border region. This area has been partially under the control of kyiv forces since a daring offensive launched in August 2024, marking an unprecedented situation since the end of the Second World War.
Russian prisoners with varied profiles
According to the press release published on Facebook by the command of the Ukrainian airborne assault troops, these Russian soldiers captured during intense fighting in recent days present diverse profiles. This would be a panel ranging from officers to ordinary soldiers, from different Russian military units.
The video accompanying the announcement shows several men in uniform gathered in what appears to be a village, stating their identities to the camera. According to the Ukrainian army, these prisoners come from various regions of Russia, as well as Crimea, a Ukrainian peninsula annexed by Moscow in 2014.
kyiv welcomes choice of surrender
The press release emphasizes that in a delicate combat situation, these Russian soldiers opted for the path of wisdom by choosing to voluntarily lay down their arms, a choice which would have saved their lives according to the Ukrainian army. The latter specifies that all the injured prisoners immediately received the necessary first aid.
We call on other soldiers of the Russian army to follow their example and surrender as well.
Extract from the Ukrainian army press release
Ukraine keeps one foot in Russia
Since its surprise offensive in August 2024 in the Kursk region, Ukraine has maintained control over several hundred square kilometers of Russian territory. kyiv seems determined to maintain this strategic advantage with a view to future peace negotiations with Moscow.
On the Russian side, the recovery of this occupied zone is a priority objective. According to kyiv and its Western allies, thousands of North Korean soldiers have even been deployed as reinforcements by Russia since the end of 2024 to try to regain lost ground.
Possible prisoner exchanges in sight
Ukraine said it had also taken prisoner several North Korean soldiers wounded in combat in the Kursk region. kyiv has offered Pyongyang an exchange for Ukrainian soldiers currently detained by Russia.
If confirmed, the capture of these 27 Russian soldiers by Ukraine undeniably constitutes a strong symbolic event in this conflict which has now lasted for more than three years. The fate of these prisoners and the evolution of the situation in the Kursk region will certainly be closely monitored, while Russia and Ukraine are still struggling to agree on the path to a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
