- Kursk governor: Thousands fled border towns
Thousands of people have fled the border regions in the Russian area of Kursk that have been attacked by Ukrainian forces, according to official reports. Citizens have left their homes in private vehicles, said Alexei Smirnov, the acting governor, in a video message. Additionally, around 200 people have been evacuated from the shelled villages in transport vehicles and buses.
Smirnov said he had spoken with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin on the phone the previous night. The president had taken the situation under personal control. Emergency shelters with approximately 2,500 places have been set up, with psychologists also on site.
According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the Kursk region has been heavily attacked by Ukrainian forces with drones and armored vehicles since Tuesday. There has been no initial response from Kyiv. There have been several deaths and over 20 injuries. In its defensive struggle against the Russian invasion, Ukraine has repeatedly attacked targets in the neighboring country.
The heavy attacks on the Kursk region by Ukrainian forces have escalated into a full-fledged war, causing widespread displacement and destruction. Despite these provocation, President Putin has vowed to continue protecting Russian territories.
