In a significant escalation of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Russian authorities have ordered evacuations in the Belgorod and Kursk regions bordering Ukraine due to an unprecedented Ukrainian offensive. Ukrainian forces have advanced several kilometers into Russian territory, capturing approximately 140 square kilometers in the Kursk region since August 6.Belgorod region governor Vyacheslav Gladkov announced the evacuation of residents from the Krasnoyaruzhsky district, citing ‘enemy activity’ at the border. According to local administration head Andrei Miskov, about 11,000 of the district’s 11,500 residents have been relocated to safer areas. The Belgorod region has also been targeted by Ukrainian drone attacks, with 42 strikes reported in a single day.In the Kursk region, acting governor Aleksey Smirnov ordered evacuations from the Belovsky district as Ukrainian forces continue their advance. Over 76,000 people have already been moved away from the region’s border areas. The situation remains tense, with reports of Ukrainian forces firing on civilians and ambulances during evacuation efforts.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that Ukrainian forces are ‘pushing the war’ onto Russian territory, describing it as an effort to ‘restore justice’ and increase pressure on Kremlin forces. However, the Ukrainian military has not officially confirmed its involvement in the operation.The Russian government has condemned the attacks as a ‘large-scale provocation’ and promised a ‘strong response’ to the organizers and supporters of the incursion. Meanwhile, Russia continues its own attacks on Ukraine, with recent air raids near Kyiv resulting in civilian casualties.This unprecedented Ukrainian offensive marks a significant shift in the conflict, bringing the war directly onto Russian soil and potentially altering the strategic landscape as both sides prepare for possible ceasefire talks after the US elections in November.
Key points
- Ukrainian forces have launched a major offensive into Russian territory, capturing areas in the Kursk region.
- Russia has ordered mass evacuations in the Belgorod and Kursk regions due to the Ukrainian advance.
- Over 87,000 Russian civilians have been relocated from border areas in Kursk and Belgorod regions.
- The offensive marks a significant escalation in the conflict, bringing the war directly onto Russian soil.
Contradictions👾There are slight discrepancies in the reported number of evacuees, with some sources citing 76,000 from Kursk alone, while others mention a total of 87,000 from both Kursk and Belgorod.
