## 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.
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.