Kyiv ready to fight in Kursk Oblast 'as long as necessary' as Russia claims to retake over 86% of seized territories

 Russian Forces Reclaim Over 86% of Kursk Oblast Territory, Ukraine Vows to Defend

Russian troops have regained control of more than 86% of the territory in Kursk Oblast that was previously captured by Ukrainian forces, according to Valery Gerasimov, Chief of the General Staff of the Russian army, on March 12. Meanwhile, Ukraine has reaffirmed its commitment to defending its positions for as long as necessary.

Reports from both Ukrainian and Russian sources indicate that Russian troops have entered Sudzha, a key Ukrainian-held stronghold near the Russian border in Kursk Oblast.

Following Gerasimov's statement, Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi confirmed ongoing battles in the suburbs of Sudzha and surrounding areas.

"In the most difficult situations, my priority remains to preserve the lives of Ukrainian soldiers. If necessary, our forces will maneuver to more advantageous positions," Syrskyi said.

He emphasized that Ukraine would continue to defend Kursk Oblast for as long as it remains strategically reasonable.

According to Gerasimov, Russian forces have recaptured 24 settlements and 259 square kilometers (100 square miles) of territory in the region.

Russian state media outlet Tass published purported footage showing President Vladimir Putin visiting a Russian military command center in Kursk Oblast. If confirmed, it would mark his first visit to the embattled region since the beginning of Ukraine's incursion. However, The Kyiv Independent has not been able to verify these reports, and the Ukrainian military has yet to comment.

Putin has reportedly ordered Russian forces to fully reclaim Kursk Oblast and consider establishing a "security zone" along the border with Ukraine, Tass reported.

Russia aims to push Ukrainian forces out of Kursk Oblast entirely and shift the fighting into Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts.

Additionally, the Russian president declared that Ukrainian soldiers captured in Kursk Oblast should be labeled as "terrorists." Russia's General Staff claims that over 400 Ukrainian troops have been taken captive in the region.

Syrskyi reported that, over the past seven months of fighting in Kursk Oblast, Russian losses have reached approximately 54,900 personnel, with over 22,000 killed.

Zelensky: Ukraine Ready for Ceasefire, But Remains Wary of Russia

Ukraine is demonstrating its willingness to seek peace in response to a temporary ceasefire proposal from the U.S., President Volodymyr Zelensky said on March 12.

Speaking about Washington’s recent truce proposal, Zelensky noted that Ukraine initially suggested a partial ceasefire limited to aerial and naval operations. However, U.S. negotiators, during talks in Jeddah on March 11, proposed a full ceasefire.

In response, Zelensky said Ukraine was "ready for the 30-day ceasefire format offered by the U.S. side."

"I have repeatedly said that none of us trust Russia... but we are not playing into the narrative that we want the war to continue," Zelensky stated at a press conference.

"My goal is to end this war. I want the U.S. president to see that Ukraine is serious about peace, and I want Europe and the world to unite in pushing Russia toward ending its aggression."

He stressed that the ceasefire would be only the first step toward a lasting peace. Once the war concludes, martial law will be lifted, and Ukraine will hold elections, he added.

U.S. Confirms Ukraine Talks Included Possible Territorial Concessions

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed on March 12 that discussions between U.S. and Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia on March 11 included talks about potential "territorial concessions" as part of a negotiated settlement with Russia.

"Yeah, we've had conversations," Rubio said at an airport in Ireland when asked about whether Ukraine had been discussing the possibility of ceding territory.

The Trump administration has maintained that both Kyiv and Moscow will need to make compromises for a peace deal, calling Ukraine's goal of restoring its pre-2014 borders "unrealistic."

Currently, Russia occupies roughly 20% of Ukraine, with widespread reports of repression, torture, and forced deportations from the occupied territories.

Rubio added that the Jeddah talks also addressed "what a negotiation process would look like" and reiterated that "there is no military solution to this conflict."

He acknowledged Ukraine’s need for security guarantees to prevent future Russian aggression, emphasizing that "European countries will have to be involved in this regard."

Thus far, Trump has refused to offer security guarantees for Ukraine, stating during his Feb. 28 meeting with Zelensky that Europe should take responsibility for Ukraine's security.

Russia Increases Attacks in Ukraine’s South, Military Reports

Over the past two weeks, Russian infantry units have intensified assault operations in southern Ukraine in an effort to improve Moscow's battlefield positions, a Ukrainian military spokesperson told Ukrinform on March 12.

According to Vladyslav Voloshyn, spokesperson for Ukraine’s Southern Command, Russian forces launched 35 attacks in the region today alone, particularly targeting the Huliaipole and Orikhiv sectors in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

"This is not a large-scale offensive or part of the enemy's strategic operations, but rather tactical attempts to improve their positioning along the frontline," Voloshyn explained.

He added that Russia has also intensified artillery shelling and launched air and missile strikes against Ukraine’s Tavria group of forces, which defends Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts.