Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered that Ukrainian prisoners of war captured during fighting in the Kursk region be treated as terrorists.
During his first official visit to a command post in Kursk since Ukraine launched operations in the area, Putin accused Ukrainian forces of committing “crimes against civilians” and resisting what he called “Russian liberation forces.”
“We must, first and foremost, treat these people as terrorists in accordance with the laws of the Russian Federation,” Putin said, echoing comments made earlier by General Staff Chief Valery Gerasimov.
Under Russian law, being labeled a terrorist can open the door to harsher interrogations, long-term imprisonment, and denial of rights typically granted to prisoners of war under international humanitarian law.
This was reported by Russian state media and United24 Media.
Putin’s statement effectively rejects the protections granted to combatants under the Geneva Conventions, which explicitly prohibit the mistreatment, torture, or summary execution of prisoners of war. By framing captured Ukrainian soldiers as criminals instead of lawful combatants, Russia seeks to sidestep its obligations under international law.
Human rights organizations and Ukrainian officials have responded with alarm.
“This is a flagrant violation of the Geneva Conventions and a clear signal that Russian forces intend to continue breaking international law with impunity,” said a spokesperson for Human Rights Watch.
Ukraine’s military and foreign ministry have yet to formally respond, but Kyiv has consistently accused Moscow of systemic abuses against captured soldiers. Previous investigations have documented cases of forced confessions, beatings, and extrajudicial killings in Russian detention centers.
Fighting Intensifies in Kursk
Putin’s remarks come as heavy fighting continues near the town of Sudzha, located close to the Ukrainian border. Russian forces are reportedly attempting to break through Ukrainian defenses and push the front line deeper into Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts.
Russia’s efforts in Kursk mark a renewed focus on border operations following Ukraine’s cross-border incursion into the region in mid-2024. The Kremlin has since framed the fighting there as part of a broader campaign to create a “buffer zone” between Russian territory and Ukrainian-held regions.
The situation on the ground remains fluid, with ongoing combat reported along multiple points of the front line in the area. Ukrainian forces have claimed they are holding their positions but warned of intensifying Russian pressure.
Analysts also warn that the move could provoke a cycle of retaliation, undermining international efforts to protect combatants on both sides.
“This is not just about policy. It’s about setting a precedent that could have ripple effects far beyond this war,” said a legal adviser to the International Committee of the Red Cross. “If states begin to ignore the rules of war, we enter dangerous territory.”
