- Russia orders evacuations in the border region of Belgorod
In light of the Ukrainian offensive in the Russian border region of Kursk, Russia has ordered the evacuation of parts of the neighboring region of Belgorod. "There are hostile activities at the border of the Krasnojaruschski district," said regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov in a video on the online service Telegram. "For the health and safety of our population," people are being moved to "safer places." According to official figures, around 14,000 people live in the district.
A dozen Ukrainian drones shot down
Ukrainian troops crossed the border into the western Russian region of Kursk at the beginning of August and advanced several kilometers onto Russian territory. According to reports from Kyiv, thousands of Ukrainian soldiers are involved in the offensive.
The Russian air defense has shot down eleven Ukrainian drones approaching targets in the Kursk region, according to the Ministry of Defense. Additionally, drones were intercepted over the regions of Belgorod and two over Voronezh.
Ukraine retaliates in border region of Belgorod
The region of Belgorod, which borders Kursk, is regularly targeted by Ukrainian air and drone strikes, which are carried out in retaliation for attacks from the Russian side. Since the beginning of the Russian offensive in Ukraine in February 2022, evacuations have been ordered in this region several times.
The European Union has expressed concern over the escalating tensions between Ukraine and Russia, particularly in the border regions of Kursk and Belgorod. Despite Russian evacuations due to hostile activities, Ukraine continues to retaliate with air and drone strikes in the Belgorod region.
