Ukraine shocked the world with its bold offensive operation in the summer that at its height took control of an area about the size of Los Angeles in Kursk, Russia.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukrainian troops have not been encircled by Russian forces in Kursk region, accusing Russian leader Vladimir Putin of “lying” about the situation on the ground.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine gave no indication Friday that his country’s soldiers would withdraw from Kursk, let alone surrender.

Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky denied Saturday his troops were encircled in Russia's Kursk region, where Moscow has regained swathes of land this week, as Russia said it took back two