Russian President Vladimir Putin declared on Thursday that all individuals in the Kursk region committing crimes against civilians or opposing Russia’s armed forces and special services will be classified as terrorists.

This statement, made amid Russia’s recapture of Sudzha—the largest Ukrainian-held town in Kursk—signals a hardened stance following Ukraine’s August 2024 incursion. Putin further asserted that foreign mercenaries involved in the conflict are not entitled to protections under the 1949 Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War.

The announcement aligns with Russia’s escalating military efforts to reclaim the region, bolstered by North Korean troops and tactical innovations, as reported earlier today. Putin’s visit to Kursk’s military headquarters on Wednesday underscored Moscow’s resolve to secure its borders after Ukraine’s surprise offensive disrupted Russian defenses, seizing over 1,300 square kilometers.

With Sudzha now retaken, Russia aims to eliminate Ukraine’s final footholds, framing resistance as terrorism.

By excluding foreign fighters from Geneva Convention rights, Putin appears to target mercenaries allegedly supporting Kyiv, a move that could complicate diplomatic efforts, such as the U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire currently under discussion in Moscow with Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff.

The Kremlin’s position risks inflaming tensions with Western backers of Ukraine, who view such rhetoric as a pretext for harsher treatment of captives.

This escalation in rhetoric and action reflects Russia’s dual strategy: reclaiming territory while projecting uncompromising strength.

As the conflict nears a potential pause, Putin’s stance may harden negotiations, raising the stakes for both Kyiv and its allies in the volatile Kursk theater.