A state of emergency has been declared in Russia’s Kursk region as Ukrainian forces launched a massive attack on defense positions at 8 a.m. local time (0500 GMT). Regional officials announced the move, restricting access to specific areas to “eliminate the consequences of enemy forces coming into the region,” according to acting regional governor Alexei Smirnov.
The Russian Defense Ministry reported on its Telegram channel that up to 300 soldiers from Ukraine’s 22nd Mechanized Brigade, supported by 11 tanks and over 20 armored combat vehicles, attacked Russian border defense positions near the settlements of Nikolaevo-Daryino and Oleshnya.
Russia’s Health Ministry stated that 31 civilians, including six children, have been wounded in the attacks. In response, Russia’s National Guard has bolstered security around the nearby Kursk nuclear power station and its four reactors.
Russian officials claim to have advanced this year after Ukraine’s 2023 counteroffensive failed to achieve significant gains, taking 420 square kilometers of territory from Ukrainian forces since June 14.
Battles continued through the night into Wednesday as Ukrainian forces pushed northwest of the border town of Sudzha, located 530 kilometers southwest of Moscow, Russia’s Defense Ministry said.
“The Kyiv regime has launched another major provocation,” President Vladimir Putin told members of the Russian government, referring to the attack in the Kursk region.
(With input from Reuters)
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State of Emergency declared as Ukraine pierces Russian border
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