Overview of the situation - Russian authorities declare a state of emergency in Kursk region
After Ukrainian troops advanced into the Russian territory of Kursk, a state of emergency has been declared in the region and security for the local nuclear power plant has been increased. "The Kursk region continues to face a challenging operational situation in the border areas," said Alexei Smirnov, the acting governor of the Kursk region, in a Telegram message. He has set up an operations center that works around the clock. Meanwhile, the first group of evacuees from the Russian border area has arrived in the neighboring region of Oryol.
According to the Russian Ministry of Health, more than 30 people were injured in the Kursk region by Ukrainian shelling. At least 19 of them were hospitalized. Among the injured is Yevgeny Poddubny, the most famous war correspondent of Russian television. State television reported that he is being treated in a local hospital. Media reports suggest that he suffered severe burns as a result of a drone attack.
Russia increases security measures for the Kursk nuclear power plant
In parallel, the Russian National Guard has reinforced security for the Kursk nuclear power plant, which has four units and a capacity of almost two gigawatts and is located about 60 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. Additional forces have also been deployed to combat sabotage and reconnaissance units in the Kursk and Belgorod regions, the agency said. This is happening in cooperation with the Russian border troops and the army. The statements of both warring parties are generally not independently verifiable.
The day before, Ukrainian troops supported by tanks and artillery crossed the Russian border from the Sumy region at Sudzha and, according to reports, took control of several villages. Russian reports say that around 1,000 Ukrainian soldiers are involved in the operation. Unconfirmed reports suggest that they have advanced up to 15 kilometers towards the nuclear power plant.
Immediately behind the border, the gas metering station Sudzha could also have fallen under Ukrainian control. Gas from Russia to the European Union is transported through this station to the Slowakia and Austria. Despite the ongoing war, 14.6 billion cubic meters of Russian gas were transported through this route to the European Union in 2023.
A video circulating on Ukrainian channels allegedly shows around 20 captured Russian border guards in the Kursk region. The authenticity of the footage could not be independently confirmed.
No official comment from Kyiv
The authorities in Kyiv did not comment further on the situation in the Kursk region. In his evening address, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy only mentioned a consultation with Army Chief of Staff Oleksandr Syrskyi. "Details will follow later," the head of state said. He also discussed the expansion of the Ukrainian rocket program with Defense Minister Rustem Ummerov.
Zelenskyy also mentioned that he had spoken with government members about the long-discussed smartphone program "Army+", with which reports from commanders will be digitally recorded in the future. "This will clearly simplify the daily tasks of the commanders," the president emphasized. Later, this will also be made available to every soldier.
The Ukrainian General Staff reported heavy Russian guided bomb usage in the border area of the Sumy region, adjacent to Kursk. Around 30 guided bombs were dropped in the area. Additionally, a dozen locations were reportedly targeted by Russian artillery.
The Russian Ministry of Defense released a video showing the deployment of a short-range "Iskander-M" missile. The missile strike, equipped with a cluster bomb warhead, was aimed at a Ukrainian troop concentration near the Russian border in the Sumy region. These claims could not be independently verified.
In light of heavy fighting in the Russian neighboring region of Kursk and Russian shelling, Ukrainian authorities have ordered the evacuation of more locations in the Sumy border region. The measures affect 23 settlements, with around 6,000 people, including over 400 children and adolescents, to be moved to safety.
Intensified fighting expected in Kharkiv region
The Ukrainian military expects intensified fighting in the eastern Kharkiv region. "The enemy is using artillery, mortars, and multiple rocket launchers, which could indicate plans to launch active storming operations," the Ukrainian army group operating in the region said on Telegram. This particularly affects the area around the border town of Vovchansk, which has been contested since May.
Heavy fighting continues in the Donetsk region, especially around the cities of Toretsk and Novyi York. A reported Ukrainian withdrawal east of Novyi York has not yet been officially confirmed.
Ukraine has been defending against the Russian invasion for nearly two and a half years.
Following the intensified fighting in the Kursk region, Russia has increased its security measures around the nuclear power plant, with additional forces deployed to combat sabotage and reconnaissance units. Due to the volatile situation, there have been reports of increased fighting expected in the nearby Kharkiv region.
