MOSCOW: Russia has evacuated more than 76,000 people from the Kursk region following a significant Ukrainian incursion, which began earlier this week, the local emergency ministry was quoted by the Tass news agency as saying on Saturday.
The incursion, described as the largest and most successful cross-border offensive by Kyiv since the start of the war in 2022, has prompted intense battles and raised concerns about the safety of a nearby nuclear power plant.
The Ukrainian attack began on Tuesday morning, with Ukrainian units reportedly crossing into Russia’s Kursk region, advancing up to 20 kilometers (12 miles) into Russian territory. This operation marks a notable shift in the conflict, with Ukraine’s forces having reached deep inside Russian borders.
The Russian military has responded by mobilizing additional troops and equipment, including tanks and rocket launchers, to counter the advancing forces.
The local emergency ministry reported on Saturday that over 76,000 residents have been evacuated from areas near the conflict zone. Emergency aid has been dispatched to these regions, and extra trains have been arranged to transport evacuees to Moscow. The large-scale evacuation reflects the severity of the situation, with many fleeing to escape the ongoing violence.
The incursion has led Russia to launch a “counter-terror operation” in the affected regions of Belgorod, Bryansk, and Kursk. These operations grant the military extensive emergency powers, including restrictions on movement, vehicle seizures, and enhanced security measures at critical infrastructure sites.
Meanwhile, Russia’s nuclear agency has issued a warning about the Kursk nuclear power plant, located less than 50 kilometers from the combat zone. The agency has expressed concerns that the ongoing fighting poses a “direct threat” to the facility. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has called for “maximum restraint” to prevent any escalation that could endanger the plant.
The Ukrainian government has not publicly confirmed its involvement in the attack, maintaining operational silence. However, the scale and depth of the incursion suggest a significant shift in the conflict dynamics. President Volodymyr Zelensky has made several cryptic statements about the early successes of Ukrainian troops.
In response to the incursion, Belarus, a close ally of Russia, has announced military reinforcements along its border with Ukraine, including ground troops, air units, and rocket systems.
The United States, Kyiv’s closest ally, said it was not informed of the plans in advance.
Elsewhere on the frontline, Ukraine on Saturday reported the lowest number of “combat engagements” on its territory since June 10.
