By Smartencyclopedia & Agencies 

In response to Ukrainian forces advancing deeper into Russian territory, authorities in Russia’s Kursk and Belgorod regions have ordered the evacuation of several border areas. The move comes as Kyiv’s ongoing offensive continues to impact Russian border regions, prompting a significant response from Moscow.

Since Ukrainian troops stormed across the border early last week, more than 76,000 people have been temporarily relocated from the Kursk region. The escalation of hostilities has led to increased measures to ensure civilian safety.

Nikolai Volobuyev, head of Kursk’s Belovsky district, which lies on the border with Ukraine’s Sumy region, issued a “strong request” for residents to evacuate the area after Ukrainian forces advanced into the region over the weekend. Despite claims from Russia’s Defense Ministry that they successfully repelled the Ukrainian incursion into Belovsky, the threat has prompted urgent action.

In the neighboring Belgorod region, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov has ordered the evacuation of the Krasnoyaruzhsky district, located directly south of Belovsky. Gladkov emphasized the move was necessary for public health and safety, stating in a video posted on Telegram that residents would be moved to safer locations.

On Friday, Moscow initiated counterterrorism operations in the border regions of Kursk, Belgorod, and Bryansk. This action has granted the military broad emergency powers to combat Kyiv’s surprise offensive. The Russian Defense Ministry reported early Monday that its air defense systems had intercepted 18 Ukrainian drones overnight, with 11 of these being downed over the Kursk region.

Despite the increased military activity and evacuations, Kyiv has maintained a strict operational silence regarding the Kursk offensive. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in a video address on Saturday, hinted at the ongoing operations, asserting that Ukraine was “pushing the war into the aggressor’s territory” and demonstrating its ability to exert pressure on Russia.

The unfolding situation has intensified the already volatile conflict, with both sides preparing for further engagements as Ukrainian forces push deeper into Russian-held territory. The evacuations and heightened military actions underscore the increasing stakes in this regional confrontation.