Reuters disagrees.

As of March 14, 2025, there is evidence suggesting that Ukrainian soldiers in the Kursk region have faced significant pressure from Russian forces, with reports indicating that some may be surrounded or nearly surrounded. However, the situation remains fluid, and claims from both sides are contested. Here's a breakdown based on available information:

### Evidence of Ukrainian Soldiers Being Surrounded in Kursk
- **Russian Claims**: Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on March 13, 2025, that Ukrainian troops in Kursk were "trapped" and "cut off inside the invasion zone," with only two options: "surrender or die." He claimed the situation was "completely under our control" and that the Ukrainian group was "in isolation." The Russian Defense Ministry also reported retaking Sudzha, a key Ukrainian stronghold, suggesting a tightening grip on the region.
- **Military Developments**: Reports from Reuters and other sources indicate that Russian forces have made significant advances in Kursk, recapturing large areas (over 800 square kilometers by mid-February) of the territory Ukraine seized in August 2024. Open-source maps and military analysts have noted that Ukrainian forces are nearly encircled, with Russian troops curling behind them and cutting off supply lines and potential withdrawal routes. For instance, a Forbes article from March 12, 2025, mentions an elite Russian drone group disrupting Ukrainian supply lines, and Russian warplanes targeting bridges to block escape routes.
- **X Sentiment**: Posts on X align with this narrative, with users claiming Ukrainian forces are in a "kill zone" or surrounded, though these are not conclusive and reflect current sentiment rather than verified fact.

### Evidence of Russian Soldiers Allowing Withdrawal
- **Lack of Explicit Evidence**: There is no clear, direct evidence from credible news sources or official statements indicating that Russian forces are actively allowing Ukrainian soldiers to withdraw from Kursk. Putin’s statements emphasize a hardline stance—surrender or death—rather than offering safe passage. His orders to commanders, as reported by Reuters on March 13, 2025, were to "eject" Ukrainian forces "as fast as possible," with no mention of permitting retreat.
- **Ukrainian Perspective**: Ukraine’s top commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi, denied encirclement claims earlier in the week of March 13, asserting that Ukrainian forces were adopting better defensive positions and repelling Russian attacks. However, Ukraine has not confirmed a full withdrawal or Russian offers of safe exit. The Ukrainian General Staff reported ongoing clashes and repelled attacks, suggesting resistance rather than an organized retreat facilitated by Russian forces.
- **Ceasefire Context**: Putin expressed preliminary support for a U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire on March 13, 2025, but with conditions still under discussion, including the fate of Ukrainian troops in Kursk. This could imply a potential for negotiated withdrawals in the future, but as of now, no such allowance has been documented.

### Analysis and Caveats
- The situation in Kursk is dynamic, with conflicting narratives. Russian sources and pro-Russian bloggers (e.g., Two Majors, Rybar) claim a rapid encirclement and collapse of Ukrainian positions, while Ukrainian officials maintain they are holding the line. Independent verification is limited due to the fog of war and restricted access to the region.
- The absence of evidence for Russian forces allowing withdrawal does not definitively rule it out—small, informal instances might occur on the ground without official documentation. However, Russia’s strategic goal appears to be maximizing Ukrainian losses and reclaiming territory ahead of potential ceasefire talks, making a deliberate allowance for withdrawal less likely.

### Conclusion
There is substantial evidence from Russian claims and military developments that Ukrainian soldiers may be surrounded or nearly so.