American intelligence agencies shared with the White House information showing that Ukrainian troops are not encircled in Russia's Kursk region, contradicting statements by United States President Donald Trump, Reuters reported.
The publication cited unnamed American and European officials familiar with the intelligence assessments who said Ukrainian troops were under serious pressure in Kursk—but not surrounded.
Trump's comments echoed similar claims emerging from Russia about Ukrainian encirclement in Kursk, where Kyiv's forces had been struggling to hold on to territory captured after a surprise cross-border push last August.
Newsweek reached out to the White House press office and the public affairs department of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence via email outside of normal business hours for comment.
Why It Matters
Trump is seeking to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, starting with a ceasefire. But Ukraine and its allies in Europe worry that Trump is too sympathetic to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Stories such as this underline those fears.
What To Know
Trump posted on Truth Social last Friday that "THOUSANDS OF UKRAINIAN TROOPS ARE COMPLETELY SURROUNDED BY THE RUSSIAN MILITARY, AND IN A VERY BAD AND VULNERABLE POSITION."
He added: "I have strongly requested to President Putin that their lives be spared. This would be a horrible massacre, one not seen since World War II. God bless them all!!!"
Ukraine pushed back against the claims.
"Reports about the enemy's alleged 'encirclement' of Ukrainian units in the Kursk region are not true and are created by the Russians for political goals and pressure on Ukraine and partners," the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said after Trump's post.
"The situation has not changed significantly during the day. Hostilities in the operational zone of the Kursk group of troops continue."
Since then, Trump has held calls with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, trying to secure a partial ceasefire on strikes against energy infrastructure.
Both sides have agreed—and accused each other of violations—but delegations from all parties in Saudi Arabia are set to work through the finer details in the coming days.
Trump was hoping for a full 30-day ceasefire, which Ukraine had accepted, but Putin did not agree to one.
Russia continues to make advances in Kursk and recapture territory from Ukrainian troops. Putin visited the region last week, a sign of Russian confidence, and wore military fatigues for the trip.
Ukraine's General Staff says talk of Russian success in Kursk is exaggerated, and it continues to hang on.
What People Are Saying
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that Russian troops "have recently carried out a number of swift, bold, and effective operations" and are now "completing the defeat of enemy forces in the Kursk Region," reported Russia's state-owned news agency Tass.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Thursday on X, formerly Twitter: "Russian strikes on Ukraine do not stop, despite their propaganda claims. Every day and every night, nearly a hundred or more drones are launched, along with ongoing missile attacks. With each such launch, the Russians expose to the world their true attitude towards peace."
What Happens Next
Negotiations between the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine will continue in Saudi Arabia next week.
Update 3/20/25, 12:32 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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About the writer
Shane Croucher is a Breaking News Editor based in London, UK. He has previously overseen the My Turn, Fact Check ... Read more