A federal emergency has been declared in Russia’s Kursk region following a major cross-border incursion by Ukrainian forces, as reported by the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Russian Federation.
On Aug. 6, Ukrainian troops launched their largest attack on Russian territory since the onset of the conflict, targeting the Sudzha district in the Kursk Region. The next day, the Russian military reported that they had halted the advance of the invading forces, though Ukrainian troops remained in some areas of the district.
“The situation in the Kursk region has been classified as a federal emergency,” the ministry stated on Aug. 9. The decision to impose a federal-level response was made during an extraordinary meeting of the government commission responsible for emergencies and fire safety. (Related: Zelensky now willing to negotiate peace deal to end conflict with Russia.)
The federal emergency status enables compensation for individuals who have lost relatives, sustained injuries or suffered property damage due to the Ukrainian incursion. The ministry also highlighted ongoing humanitarian efforts, with 35 tons of food, 10 tons of drinking water and 10 power stations already delivered. Additionally, 25 temporary facilities have been set up in the region, which accommodates over 2,000 people, including 520 children.
Meanwhile, Russia’s Ministry of Defense reported that Russian warplanes and artillery struck Ukrainian positions near the settlements of Daryino, Gogolevka, Melovoy, Nikolsky and on the western outskirts of Sudzha. In the area of Yuzhny, five U.S.-made Stryker armored personnel carriers, operated by Ukrainian forces, were destroyed in an airstrike. Near the village of Martynovka, a Ukrainian column consisting of a tank, four armored personnel carriers and a Kozak combat armored vehicle was also hit by Russian warplanes.
According to the ministry, Ukraine has lost 945 servicemen and 102 armored vehicles since the incursion began. “The operation to destroy the Ukrainian military units continues,” the ministry noted.
On Aug. 7, Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the cross-border attack as a “massive provocation” by Kyiv. He accused Ukrainian troops of indiscriminately firing various types of weapons, including missiles, at civilian facilities, residential buildings, and ambulances.
Ukraine braces for Russian retaliation
Ukraine is preparing for further Russian retaliation following its cross-border incursion into Kursk, as Russia deploys reinforcements – including troops, tanks and artillery. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed ongoing operations in Kursk, framing them as part of Ukraine’s effort to restore justice after Russia’s 2022 invasion.
Speaking in his nightly address, the Ukrainian leader acknowledged discussions with top commander Oleksandr Syrsky about pushing the conflict into Russian territory.
“Today, I received several reports from commander-in-chief Syrsky regarding the frontlines and our actions to push the war onto the aggressor’s territory,” he said. “I am grateful to every unit of the defense forces for ensuring that. Ukraine is proving that it can indeed restore justice and ensure the necessary pressure on the aggressor.”
In response, Russia has implemented “anti-terrorism measures” in Kursk, Belgorod and Bryansk, including transport restrictions, heightened security and surveillance, according to RIA news agency. More than 76,000 people have been evacuated from Kursk as Russia is reinforcing its defenses in the border area. Putin condemned the Ukrainian incursion as a “large-scale provocation” as Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov vowed to counter it.
Meanwhile, a Russian missile strike on a supermarket in Kostiantynivka, Donetsk on Friday killed at least 14 people and injured 43 others. Ukraine’s Prosecutor General condemned the attack on civilians, though Russia denies targeting civilians.
In Sumy, Ukraine, preparations are underway to evacuate 20,000 residents from a 10km border zone in anticipation of further Russian attacks. Sumy Governor Volodymyr Artiukh ordered 28 villages evacuated from a six-mile zone hugging the border. National police said on Friday that 20,000 people would have to leave.
Head over to RussiaReport.news for more updates on the escalating conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Russia has begun to thwart a week-long Ukrainian incursion into its Kursk region, Moscow has claimed.Russian army units - including fresh reserves, aircraft, drone teams and artillery forces - have stopped Ukrainian troops from gaining further territory near the settlements of Obshchy Kolodez, Snagost, Kauchuk and Alexeyevsky, the Russian defence ministry said. The influx of fresh units has been confirmed, at least to some extent, after Lithuania's defence minister Laurynas […]
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