Russia vows to 'wipe out' Ukrainian forces from Kursk soon

Russia announced on March 13 that its army will soon complete the mission of 'clearing' Ukrainian forces from the Kursk region (Russia).

Russia has retaken Sudzha, the largest city controlled by Ukraine in Russia's Kursk province, as US President Donald Trump puts pressure on all sides to end the conflict, Reuters reported.

The Russian Defense Ministry said on March 13: "During the offensive operation, units of the northern military group liberated the settlements of Melovoy, Podol and Sudzha."

Ukraine has not commented on the latest statement from the Russian Defense Ministry.

According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW-USA), the field footage shows Russian forces retaking Sudzha and advancing south towards Zaoleshenka - a settlement located just northwest of Sudzha. The recapture of this strategic urban area is a major symbolic victory for Russia.

"The situation is completely under our control and the Ukrainian forces are isolated. This is complete isolation and complete control of firepower," Russian President Vladimir Putin told reporters after meeting with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on March 13 at the Kremlin.

Speaking at a press conference the same day, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that all areas of the Kursk region currently controlled by Ukraine would soon be recaptured by Russia. "President Putin expects this operation to be carried out as quickly as possible," Mr. Peskov said.

A Moscow T-72 battle tank moves outside the town of Sudzha (Russia) in August 2024.

Earlier, President Putin made a surprise visit to Kursk on March 12. Here, Mr. Putin emphasized Moscow's goal is to "completely regain" Kursk. This is the Russian leader's first trip to Kursk since Ukraine's surprise attack last year. Chief of the Russian General Staff Valery Gerasimov said on March 12 that Russia has regained more than 86% of the area that Ukraine once controlled in Kursk.

President Putin arrives in Kursk region amid campaign to dislodge Ukrainian troops

In a statement on March 12, Ukrainian Army Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky acknowledged the difficult situation in Kursk, but still affirmed that Kyiv would maintain its defensive position in the Kursk region "as long as the situation remains reasonable and necessary."

Russia discusses 30-day ceasefire proposal with Ukraine

Regarding negotiations to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict, President Putin on March 13 supported the proposal for a ceasefire in Ukraine but stressed that it must be accompanied by conditions. The Russian leader stressed that any proposal must aim at lasting peace and resolving the root causes of the conflict, according to TASS News Agency.

Russian President Vladimir Putin holds a press conference in Moscow on March 13, 2025

Putin also said that the possibility of controlling a ceasefire in Ukraine is complicated. "Who will issue ceasefire orders? And what will be the price of these orders? Who will monitor the country that is potentially violating the ceasefire? And then who will be blamed for violating the agreement? These are all issues that require careful consideration from both sides," President Putin said.

On the same day, President Putin's foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov stressed that the 30-day ceasefire proposed by the US would only give Kyiv forces time to rest. "The 30-day ceasefire does not bring anything to Russia. It is only an opportunity for the Ukrainian army to have time to rest, regroup and strengthen to continue fighting in the future," Mr. Yuri Ushakov said after a phone call with US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz on March 13.

Putin supports ceasefire proposal to end Ukraine conflict

Mr Ushakov insisted that Russia was pursuing long-term peace agreements, stressing that “there can be no mention of NATO” in peace agreements and Ukraine’s future.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on March 13 that Moscow had carefully reviewed the results of the talks and related statements, but had not yet received an official ceasefire proposal, according to RT. Zakharova stressed that Russia was ready to discuss the initiative at a meeting with US representatives.

Ms Zakharova added that the deployment of Western peacekeepers to Ukraine was "unacceptable". "Foreign military units stationed in Ukraine, under whatever name, mean that these countries will enter into direct armed conflict with Russia. We will respond with all available means," she said.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on March 13 accused Russia of trying to delay peace as long as possible. "Unfortunately, for more than a day, the world has not heard a meaningful response from Russia to the proposals put forward. This proves once again that Russia is trying to prolong the conflict and delay peace," Zelensky said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky answers questions from the press in Kyiv on March 12, 2025

On the US side, President Trump is currently pressuring Russia to accept a proposed 30-day ceasefire with Ukraine. Speaking in the Oval Office on March 12, Mr. Trump warned that the consequences if Russia ignored the ceasefire would be “very serious,” but expressed optimism that it would happen.

Ukraine receives more aid

The Finnish Ministry of Defense announced on March 13 the 28th military aid package to Ukraine, worth about $217.4 million. Finnish Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen said the aid package includes artillery shells.

“There is broad political support and national consensus on the issue of aid to Ukraine,” said Hakkanen. Since Russia began its special military operation in Ukraine, Finland has provided Kyiv with about $2.6 billion in defense aid, according to The Kyiv Independent .

In another development, the Ukrainian Finance Ministry announced on March 13 that the country received the first tranche of $1.7 billion from Canada under the Special Revenue Acceleration (ERA) initiative of the Group of Seven (G7) leading industrialized countries. The ERA initiative will provide $50 billion in support for Ukraine.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/chien-su-ukraine-ngay-1114-nga-tuyen-bo-se-som-quet-sach-luc-luong-ukraine-khoi-kursk-185250313191741042.htm