Russia has taken back the biggest town in Kursk from Ukrainian soldiers, with President Vladimir Putin warning that Kyiv’s remaining force in the region is now trapped and must “surrender or die.” 

He also warned that any Ukrainian forces captured in the Russian territory would be treated as “terrorists” — not as prisoners of war — adding that “foreign mercenaries” aren’t subject to the laws of the Geneva Convention.

Moscow took the town of Sudzha on Thursday and all but erased the massive gains Ukraine made during its surprise incursion last summer, whittling away at Kyiv’s largest bargaining chip in the strained cease-fire talks. 

“[Kursk is] completely under our control, and the group that invaded our territory is in isolation,” Putin touted. 

“And if a physical blockade occurs in the coming days, then no one will be able to leave at all, there will be only two ways — to surrender or die.”

The Russian strongman, who was visiting his commanders in Kursk, demanded that they finish the operation there “in the shortest possible time frame.”

While Kyiv’s top commander denied earlier this week that Ukraine troops were being encircled around Sudzha, multiple reports emerged throughout the week of Russia taking back settlements surrounding the town.

Russian special forces troops had even been caught trying to sneak into the town through a miles-long gas pipeline on Sunday.

That same day, the Kremlin claimed it took back three settlements located just north of the town, with the besieged city eventually falling on Wednesday night.

Sudzha, which had about 5,000 residents before the war began, was one of the key cities Ukraine managed to take during its surprise counter-invasion last year.

The tactic was aimed at diverting Russia’s forces away from the frontlines, with the conquered cities also constituting as a major bargaining chip against the Russian invaders.

The operation was a great source of humiliation for the Kremlin, which sent tens of thousands of soldiers — including more than 11,000 North Koreans — to try to reclaim the territory.   

As Russia’s forces continue to swifty take back the land, Kremlin officials have indicated that Moscow would not engage in the US-backed peace deal as long as Ukraine holds territories in Kursk. 

The position exacerbates worries that Moscow is not willing to make any concessions in the peace talks, with Putin rejecting the cease-fire proposal on Thursday. 

“We agree with proposals to cease hostilities [in Ukraine], but this cessation must lead to a long-term peace and eliminate the root cause of the initial crisis,” he said, without defining what he felt was the “cause.” With Post wires