Russia has convicted over 300 Ukrainian soldiers of terrorism in connection with the incursion into Kursk Oblast

Russia has convicted over 300 Ukrainian soldiers on terrorism charges this year for their participation in the Kursk Oblast incursion, according to the Kirill Parubets Analytical Center and the Insider.

Experts stress that labeling combat actions during an international armed conflict as “terrorism” contradicts international law. “The prosecution is carried out for the very fact of participation in military actions, which directly violates the Geneva Convention on prisoners of war,” said Sergei Davidis, head of the Support for Political Prisoners Project.

Among the 305 convicted, 290 are prisoners of war, while 15 were sentenced in absentia. Sentences range from 13 to 28 years, with at least one life sentence already handed down. Over half of the 525 publicly known POWs captured in Kursk Oblast have been convicted, while investigations are ongoing against others.

Trials are conducted by Russia’s 2nd Western District Military Court, with human rights groups denouncing them as politically motivated and lacking fair trial standards.

Moscow wants to hold secret talks with the US on security guarantees for Ukraine

The Kremlin said on Aug. 27 that talks between Russia and the United States on security guarantees for Ukraine should remain behind closed doors.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described security guarantees as one of the most important issues in efforts to end the war, but said that public discussion would, in his view, harm progress.

He added that the Kremlin did not want to discuss the matter publicly, considering it unhelpful for the effectiveness of the talks.

Peskov also praised U.S. President Donald Trump for his mediation efforts and noted that the Russian and Ukrainian negotiating teams remain in contact, although no new round of talks has been scheduled.

Russian attacks killed two and injured 29, damage energy infrastructure in Ukraine over the past day

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia launched 95 drones overnight, of which 74 were downed. Twenty-one drones hit nine different targets, striking energy and gas transmission infrastructure in Sumy, Poltava, Donetsk, Chernihiv, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts. The Energy Ministry described the attacks as a deliberate attempt to cripple Ukraine’s infrastructure ahead of winter, adding that workers are restoring power and gas supply.

Authorities said drones damaged infrastructure in Sumy, disrupted electricity and water in the city, and destroyed a building at an enrichment facility in Donetsk Oblast. An energy facility, administrative building, and equipment were also damaged in Poltava Oblast.

Regional officials reported civilian casualties across several oblasts: a 68-year-old woman was injured in Kozacha Lopan, two elderly women were wounded in Izium, and three people were hurt in Uspenivka, Zaporizhzhia Oblast. In Donetsk Oblast, two civilians were killed in Kostiantynivka and Bokove, and 12 others were injured. In Kherson Oblast, Russian forces shelled 36 settlements, wounding 11 people, including in the city of Kherson.