The Kremlin will accuse Ukrainian soldiers of committing war crimes in the Kursk region in order to discredit the Ukrainian army, weaken Western support for Ukraine, and sabotage the 30-day ceasefire talks proposed by US President Donald Trump to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Axar.az reports that this was mentioned in a report by the US Institute for the Study of War.

Experts have noted that since the end of February 2025, Putin, along with Russian state media and propagandists, has started to accuse Ukrainian soldiers more persistently of committing war crimes, including the execution of civilians and terrorism, in the Kursk region.

The report suggests that Putin may intend to use this narrative to justify refusing a ceasefire in Ukraine and to rationalize brutal treatment of Ukrainian soldiers on the battlefield. Analysts recall that incidents of Ukrainian military prisoners being executed increased in 2024 and early 2025, likely on the orders of Russian military command. Additionally, there are reports of Ukrainian military prisoners being executed by Russian forces near the city of Suda on March 13.