Escalating Tensions: Thousands Evacuate Amid Intensified Ukraine-Russia Conflict in Kursk Region

by time news

## Russian Forces Under Attack in ⁣Kursk, Thousands ⁢Flee

Governor Alexey Smirnov confirmed that ⁤thousands of people have fled​ the ⁤Kursk region under‌ Russian fire. In a video message, he initially claimed the​ situation was under control before declaring a state of ​emergency later that day.

In response to the Ukrainian⁢ advance, the Russian National Guard‌ has increased protection of the Kursk nuclear power⁤ plant. Additional forces have also been ​deployed ⁢to counter ⁢sabotage ⁤and reconnaissance units in the⁢ Kursk and Belgorod regions.

Putin Views ​the Situation as a Provocation

The day before, the Defense ⁣Ministry reported an unsuccessful attempt to breach the border. They claimed to have prevented a deep⁣ incursion ‍into Russian‌ territory. Earlier, Russian military bloggers reported Ukrainian forces advancing ten kilometers behind ‍the⁤ border in the Kursk region.

President Putin ⁢accused ‌Ukraine of‍ launching a “major ​provocation” by attacking Kursk, claiming Ukrainian forces had indiscriminately ⁢shelled civilian targets in the region.

Evacuations‍ Across the Border

Ukraine also ordered the evacuation of 6,000 people from the‍ border area with Kursk. ​The governor of the Sumy region, Volodymyr Artjukh, announced the forced ​evacuation ⁣of 23 settlements in five communities.

‍ ‌ ⁤ APA/AFP/Governor Of Kursk Region


Destroyed ​buildings ​in the Kursk region

Heavy ‌Fighting on the Border

The ‍Defense Ministry reported ongoing clashes in the ⁤area, ⁤with soldiers ⁢fighting alongside border guards against the⁤ Ukrainian ⁤forces. ⁢They claimed to have destroyed Ukrainian groups​ with the support of aircraft, ⁢missile ⁤forces, and artillery. Ukrainian losses were reported ⁣to be‌ 260 soldiers and 50 pieces of​ equipment, including seven tanks.⁤ These claims have not ⁤been ⁣independently ‌verified.

Russian military bloggers paint a different picture, claiming Russian forces were forced to retreat from Swerdlikovo during ‍the night. In the border town of⁣ Oleschnya, Russian troops were reportedly encircled.

Thousands⁣ Fleeing the Conflict Zone

Russian authorities confirmed ​that thousands⁤ have fled ‌the shelled⁣ villages. Reports of casualties ⁢and injuries‍ have ⁣emerged, but no official statement has been issued by Ukraine regarding the situation.

Russian⁣ military bloggers claim that Chechen fighters previously ‍secured the Russian border. However, when Ukrainian forces attacked, they allegedly abandoned their positions and retreated. Popular Russian ⁤military ‍blog ⁢Rybar reported Ukrainian soldiers had ‍fortified themselves on Russian territory.

General Staff: Up to 1,000 ⁤Ukrainian Soldiers Involved

The town of Sudscha, ten kilometers behind⁣ the ⁢border, has been evacuated. The town is a​ hub for gas pipelines supplying Eastern Europe. Ukrainian soldiers ‍are ⁢reported to have infiltrated eleven​ Russian settlements. ⁣Estimates of the Ukrainian force ‌strength range from 900‍ to 2,000 men. The ⁤Russian General Staff estimates up to a thousand Ukrainian soldiers are involved.

Previous breakthroughs‌ from the Ukrainian side have been reported in the Belgorod region. Volunteer battalions consisting of Russians but ‌fighting alongside Ukraine ⁤claimed responsibility‍ for these actions. Some experts suggest the Ukrainian goal⁣ is to distract Russian⁢ forces from⁢ attacking ‌neighboring countries.

While Ukraine frequently targets Russian territory ​with ‌artillery and missiles, infantry attacks ⁢remain‍ rare.

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