Investing.com -- Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev warned on Friday that any Ukrainian soldiers remaining in the Kursk region of Russia who continue to resist will be "ruthlessly destroyed". This follows Russian President Vladimir Putin’s previous assurance to U.S. President Donald Trump that the lives of Ukrainian soldiers in Kursk would be spared if they surrendered.

Medvedev took to social media to communicate the stark choice facing the Ukrainian troops. He described Russia’s offer of safety in exchange for surrender as a "humane gesture". However, he also made clear that the alternative for Ukraine was grim: "if they refuse to lay down their arms, they will all be methodically and mercilessly destroyed".

The former Russian President added that the next few hours would reveal the decision made by Kyiv.

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