Ukraine Seizes 28 Settlements; Russian Residents Ordered to Evacuate

Ukrainian forces have made significant advances in Russia’s western Kursk region, capturing over two dozen settlements since the onset of their incursion nearly a week ago. This escalation has led Russian officials to enact evacuation orders for thousands of residents in the affected areas.

Alexey Smirnov, the acting governor of Kursk, described the region’s situation as “difficult” during an operational meeting with President Vladimir Putin. He reported that Ukrainian forces currently control 28 settlements, with a penetration of up to 12 kilometers into Kursk Oblast and a width of 40 kilometers.

Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, the commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s armed forces, indicated that Ukrainian troops now control around 386 square miles of Russian land as their offensive continues in the Kursk region.

In light of the conflict, authorities have ordered approximately 180,000 residents of Kursk to evacuate, with around 121,000 already displaced from near the border with Ukraine. Health officials report that at least 12 individuals have lost their lives and 121 others have been injured in the Kursk region since the start of the Ukrainian offensive on August 6.

Putin stated that Russia will deliver “an appropriate response” to Ukraine’s actions, asserting that “all the goals facing us will be achieved, undoubtedly.” He expressed disdain for possible negotiations with what he termed as an enemy that indiscriminately threatens civilians and critical infrastructure.

Amid these tensions, the Russian Nuclear Agency, Rosatom, alleged that Ukrainian forces targeted the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant on Sunday, striking its cooling systems and igniting a fire. Conversely, Ukrainian officials have accused Russia of instigating the fire, suggesting that it was created deliberately to misattribute blame and serve as a warning to Ukraine.

As the conflict expands, reports suggest the presence of Ukrainian troops in villages to the northeast of the Kursk nuclear power station, located approximately 80 miles from Ukraine’s border. While Russia has intensified security measures at the nuclear facility, analysts believe it remains out of reach for the advancing Ukrainian forces.

The Russian Defense Ministry has announced that additional military resources are being dispatched to bolster Russian forces and create reserves in the Kursk region. “The military communications service has organized the delivery of additional forces and systems to reinforce a group of forces and establish reserves,” stated the ministry.

Logistics units are reportedly engaged in efforts to “repel the attempted Ukrainian military incursion” into Russian territory. The situation has escalated as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy highlighted that Ukraine now holds positions previously used by the Russian army to strike Ukraine’s Sumy region.

Zelenskyy characterized Ukraine’s operations as vital for national security, aiming to liberate its border areas from Russian military presence. He also expressed optimism about receiving approval from international partners for the use of long-range weapons against Russia, which he believes would be instrumental in advancing towards a resolution to the conflict and safeguarding countless Ukrainian lives.

The president underscored the need to eliminate Russian military capabilities at their sources, stating, “It is only fair to destroy Russian terrorists where they are, where they launch their strikes from — at Russian military airfields and logistics hubs. We recognize the potential impact of this strategy in fostering peace.” He concluded with a call for forcing Russia into negotiations, particularly given Putin’s persistent military ambitions.