Second Russian Border Region Declares Emergency Amid Ukrainian Incursion

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The Belgorod region of Russia has declared a state of emergency in response to increased shelling from Ukrainian forces. This escalation marks the continuation of a significant cross-border military incursion into the adjacent Kursk region, now entering its second week.

Belgorod’s governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov, described the circumstances as “extremely difficult and tense.” The ongoing attacks have resulted in damage to homes and several civilian casualties, leaving local residents on edge.

There has been a particular focus on ensuring the safety of children. According to Gladkov’s updates on Telegram, nearly 5,000 children have been relocated to safe camps. He mentioned that approximately 11,000 people had evacuated their residences, with around 1,000 finding temporary refuge in accommodation centers.

The unexpected Ukrainian assault that began on August 6 has sent shockwaves through the Kremlin, as military analysts suggest that this operation could involve up to 10,000 Ukrainian troops, supported by armor and artillery. Last Saturday, an emergency was declared in Kursk as well.

A spokesperson for Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry stated that Kyiv does not plan to occupy any Russian territory it has reportedly secured. He explained that the primary objective is to prevent Russia from launching missile strikes on Ukraine from the Kursk area.

The future of Ukrainian forces occupying this newly taken territory remains uncertain. The Ukrainian military claims it has control over 74 settlements, largely believed to be villages or hamlets, within the Kursk region. Meanwhile, Russian officials report that over 100,000 individuals have been evacuated, mainly from Kursk itself.

Ukrainian media outlet 1+1 aired a video report on Wednesday, allegedly filmed in Sudzha, a Russian town situated about 10 kilometers (roughly 6 miles) from the border. The footage captured the aftermath of destroyed Russian military columns and depicted Ukrainian soldiers providing humanitarian aid to locals while also removing Russian flags from government buildings.

The dilemma facing Russia is whether to reallocate troops from the front lines in Donetsk, where the Kremlin aims to achieve a breakthrough, to focus on defending Kursk and containing this incursion.

U.S. President Joe Biden commented on the situation, describing it as a “real dilemma” for Russian President Vladimir Putin. While he refrained from offering additional details about this sensitive development, it is evident that the ongoing conflict has created substantial challenges for the Kremlin.

According to the Institute for the Study of War, a think tank in Washington, the incursion is unlikely to fundamentally alter the trajectory of the ongoing war. They noted that Russian authorities are likely to resist pulling combat units from Donetsk due to the potential impact on their operations there, while likely maintaining a limited number of special forces in Kursk to address the incursion.

The operation, however, has exposed vulnerabilities for Russia, as civilian anxiety and unrest rise in response to the shelling. An anonymous resident of Belgorod shared with AP that the intensity of attacks had escalated over the past ten days, culminating in a lull on Monday.

This increase in hostilities has significantly affected local attitudes toward the war. The resident indicated that many in Belgorod who previously supported the war have become less vocal in their endorsement as the fighting has become more personal and visible in their community.

“When explosions began near the city and people were killed, it changed everything. People stopped openly supporting the war,” the resident noted.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has indicated that the Kursk operation is designed not only as a military maneuver but also as a morale booster for Ukrainians after 900 days of conflict. He emphasized the need for the nation to unite and act decisively, reminiscent of the early days of the war, when Ukraine first seized the initiative.

“We have once again demonstrated that we, Ukrainians, can achieve our objectives in any situation — capable of defending our interests and our independence,” Zelenskyy stated during his nightly address.

In contrast, Russia’s Ministry of Defense has reported the destruction of 117 Ukrainian drones and four missiles across several of its regions overnight.

Source: AP News