Fighting continues in Russia's Kursk border region - thousands evacuated
According to Gerassimov, the fights were focused on areas in the immediate border region. "The operation will end with the defeat of the enemy," he emphasized. The Telegram channel Rybar, close to the Russian military, reported that Ukraine had taken three villages in the region.
Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Kyiv of a "large-scale provocation." The Ukraine was firing "indiscriminately, with various types of weapons, at civilian buildings, residential homes, and ambulances," he said at a televised meeting with government members. He also stated that he would consult with the heads of his security services about a response.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the clashes began on Tuesday morning and continued. However, "a further advance of the enemy onto Russian territory" was prevented. At least five civilians were killed, and 28 others were injured, including children, according to Russian authorities, since the beginning of the fighting.
In light of the attacks, thousands of people were evacuated from Kursk, according to the governor. "Thousands of people have left the region under fire with our help," Alexei Smirnov said in a video message. The situation is "under control."
Meanwhile, Ukraine also ordered the evacuation of 6,000 people from the border area with Kursk. "I have just signed the order for the forced evacuation of 23 settlements in five communities in the Sumy region," said regional governor Volodymyr Artjuch. Also affected were 425 children. The situation in the Sumy region is "very tense."
The Russian region of Kursk borders the Sumy region in northeastern Ukraine and has been regularly shelled from Ukraine since the start of the conflict in February 2022.
Kyiv initially did not comment on the current events in the border area. However, the news agency AFP learned from circles of the Ukrainian intelligence service SBU that a helicopter with a drone was shot down over the Kursk region on Tuesday.
Ukrainian President's advisor Mykhailo Podoliak also referred to the attacks in an online media post - without explicitly naming them. Moscow had used its "border regions unpunished for massive air and artillery strikes," he wrote.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Ukrainian losses included 260 soldiers and 50 armored vehicles, including seven tanks and eight armored personnel carriers. These figures could not be independently verified.
Meanwhile, Ukraine attacked the Russian border regions of Voronezh and Belgorod with drones on Wednesday, according to local authorities. In Voronezh, buildings and apartments were damaged by debris, according to Governor Alexander Gusev.
Since the beginning of the Russian invasion, Ukrainian soldiers have repeatedly crossed into Russia. The Russian army claimed to have repelled them each time. In some cases, the air force and artillery were used, as in the recent clashes.
The Russian military has been involved in intense clashes with Ukrainian forces along the border region, as reported by the Telegram channel Rybar. Despite the enemy's attempts, a further advance onto Russian territory was prevented by the Russian Defense Ministry.
The military operations have resulted in casualties on both sides. According to Russian authorities, at least five civilians have been killed and 28 others injured, including children, since the beginning of the fighting.
