Ukraine 's Defence Minister, Rustem Umierov, addressed claims of Ukrainian servicemen being surrounded in Russia 's Kursk Oblast, stating that the reports were inaccurate. He clarified that the Ukrainian forces had conducted planned redeployments to more advantageous positions but firmly denied the suggestion that any units were encircled. " Our defence forces continue their operations and maintain control over significant stretches of enemy territory, " Umierov stated. He referred to similar