- Russia evacuates border regions amid Ukrainian advances
- Ukrainian forces penetrate 18 miles into Russian territory
- Belarus strengthens border forces, warns of retaliation
Russia is evacuating residents from a second border region as Ukraine continues its surprise week-long attack within the country.
According to Russian official media, “enemy action” along the border has forced the relocation of around 11,000 people in the Belgorod region.
Belgorod is located adjacent to Kursk, where Ukrainian troops made a surprise invasion into Russian territory last Tuesday.
Ukrainian military has since advanced up to 18 miles (30 km) into Russia, the farthest penetration since Moscow’s full-fledged invasion of Ukraine. Kyiv alleges that thousands of troops are involved.
On Monday morning, residents in portions of Belgorod, which is south of Kursk, were instructed not to panic but to leave.
Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov stated that citizens from the Krasnaya Yaruga region were being relocated due to “enemy activity on the border.”
He also stated that the entire region was under missile alert and advised people to seek cover in their basements.
He went on to say he’s “sure that our servicemen will do everything to cope with the threat that has arisen.”
On Monday, hundreds of people were told to leave their houses in the Belovsky neighborhood as part of the ongoing evacuation of Kursk.
Belovsky Governor Alexei Smirnov also issued a missile warning, advising people to seek cover in rooms without windows and with solid walls.
He stated that temporary accommodations had been provided.
President Volodymyr Zelensky stated over the weekend that Ukraine was bringing the war into “the aggressor’s territory.”
He recognized the strike for the first time on Saturday night, stating that Russia had conducted 2,000 attacks from Kursk this summer and deserved a reaction.
A senior Ukrainian source told the AFP news agency that thousands of troops were involved in the operation, much exceeding the modest invasion initially reported by Russian border guards.
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It is the largest coordinated strike on Russian territory by Ukraine’s conventional forces.
Russia has struggled to prevent Ukraine’s progress, with almost 76,000 people evacuated from the Kursk region, where local officials have declared a state of emergency.
Earlier this week, Russian President Vladimir Putin called the offensive a “major provocation.”
Some in Russia have questioned how Ukraine was able to reach the Kursk region, with pro-Russian war blogger Yuri Podolyaka describing the situation as “alarming.”
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova warned a severe response from Russia’s military forces “will not take long.
Meanwhile, Russian ally Belarus said it was increasing its force strength at its border after saying Ukraine had violated its airspace with drones.
