Belgorod Region in Russia Declares Emergency Amid Ukraine Incursion

On August 14, Belgorod Oblast in southwestern Russia declared a state of emergency across the entire region. This decision came as Ukraine intensified its attacks on Russian territory amid an evolving ground offensive along its border. The move reflects escalating tensions and violence in the area.

Governor Viacheslav Gladkov explained that the emergency declaration is a response to the “extremely difficult” circumstances stemming from continuous shelling by Ukrainian forces. The relentless bombardment has resulted in civilian injuries and significant property damage, prompting the urgent need for protective measures.

In a video message shared on his Telegram channel, Gladkov noted the gravity of the situation in the Belgorod Region. He stated, “The armed forces of Ukraine shell it on a daily basis, with homes destroyed and casualties reported among civilians.” This ongoing violence has created an atmosphere of fear and instability for the residents living in the region.

To mitigate the crisis, Gladkov announced that the entire Belgorod Region would be classified as a regional-level emergency area. This classification aims to provide additional protections and support to local residents affected by the conflict. He plans to request a governmental commission to escalate this emergency declaration to a federal level.

The governor detailed the toll of the conflict, mentioning numerous drone attacks and artillery bombardments that have impacted 25 urban areas and villages, including Shebekino, located 18 miles southeast of the regional capital. The assault has not only resulted in one serious injury after a vehicle was struck but has also led to a partial collapse of an apartment building and damage to local gas lines.

In addition to residential damages, the attacks have destroyed municipal buildings, energy infrastructure, and vehicles. Specifically, in the Krasnoyaruzhsky district, where an evacuation of 14,000 residents was ordered due to the threat posed by Ukrainian ground operations, more assaults were reported. The village of Krasnaya Yaruga, as well as Kolotilovka and Repyakhovka, faced drone strikes and artillery fire, resulting in a burned-down administrative building and damaged power supply lines.

This area, situated in the northwest of Belgorod, is about 38 miles southeast of Sudzha in the Kursk region, where Ukrainian ground forces have initiated a significant incursion that has now spanned over a week. The proximity of the Krasnaya Yaruga district capital to the Ukrainian border poses further risks.

According to Governor Gladkov, at least seven houses have been damaged in the Alexeyevsky urban district, which lies over 60 miles within Russian territory, underscoring the far-reaching impact of the ongoing conflict.

The Kursk region previously declared a state of emergency on August 8, following the evacuation of thousands of residents from border areas in response to a surprise attack launched by Ukrainian mechanized troops just days earlier.

In a rebuttal to claims from Kyiv that its forces control at least 380 square miles of Russian territory, the Russian defense ministry asserted that Ukrainian troops were thinly spread across the affected regions. Major General Apty Alaudinov, commander of Akhmat Special Forces, acknowledged that while Ukrainian forces had taken control of some settlements, the strength of their presence was limited.

Aloudinov insisted that the battle for Sudzha continues, noting, “There are units from the Russian Defense Ministry, too, in Sudzha now, as the enemy is in and around certain parts of the town.” He emphasized that Ukrainian troops do not genuinely control the area, despite their presence.

From a claim made regarding control over Belovsky district in Kursk, local officials previously urged residents to evacuate. In a reversal, Nikolay Volobuyev, the local authority, stated that the district administration and the Russian armed forces have the situation under control, which seemed to counteract earlier indications of chaos.

President Vladimir Putin expressed frustration on Monday towards local leaders for making alarming statements regarding the situation and emphasized that only the defense ministry should give updates on military engagements.

In total, at least 134,000 individuals from the Kursk and Belgorod regions have been ordered to vacate their homes due to advancing Ukrainian forces, indicative of the ongoing and severe conflict in the area.