Ukraine Launches Major Offensive in Kursk Region, Forces Control 1,000 Square Kilometres of Russian Territory
Residents in parts of the Kursk region have been warned to shelter in basements, and a growing number have been evacuated as Ukraine’s top commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi, announced that Kyiv’s forces now control 1,000 square kilometres of Russian territory. This marks the biggest cross-border incursion in two-and-a-half years of full-scale war.
The offensive, which began seven days ago, has seen Ukrainian troops advance up to 18 miles (30km) into Russia. President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine stated that Russia had brought war to others and now it was coming back to Russia.
However, Russian leader Vladimir Putin described the offensive as a “major provocation” and ordered Russian forces to “kick the enemy out of our territory.” A growing number of people have been evacuated from the western Russian region for their safety, with a further 59,000 told to leave on Monday.
The local governor reported that some 28 villages in the area had fallen to Ukrainian forces, with 12 civilians killed and the situation remaining difficult. The region’s governor said 121,000 people had been evacuated from their homes, with about 2,000 Russian citizens remaining in areas occupied by Ukrainian forces.
In response to the incursion, President Putin stated that the main task was for the defence ministry to dislodge the enemy from Russian territories. He warned of the enemy’s goal to sow discord and destroy the unity of Russian society.
Ukrainian officials have said that thousands of troops are engaged in the operation, aiming to inflict maximum losses and destabilize the situation in Russia. Some in Russia have questioned how Ukraine was able to enter the Kursk region, with concerns raised by pro-Russian war bloggers.
As tensions escalate, Belarus, a Russian ally, announced that it was bolstering its troop numbers at its border after claiming that Ukraine had entered its airspace with drones. The situation remains fluid as both sides continue to engage in conflict.
