Russia evacuates 11,000 from Belgorod amid Ukrainian advance

BELGOROD: Following the advance of Ukrainian forces, the Russian government evacuated approximately 11,000 people from the Belgorod region.

The governor of Belgorod reported that the Krasna Yaruga district was being cleared due to increased enemy activity along the border.

Read more: Russia battles Ukrainian troops for third day after shock incursion

In response to the escalating situation, Russia tightened security in Kursk, Bryansk, and Belgorod. Concurrently, Belarus, a Russian ally, has announced a troop increase along the border.

According to reports, the Ukrainian army has made significant progress, advancing up to 30 kilometers into Russian territory in the Kursk region. This marks the first reported incursion by regular Ukrainian forces and special operations units into Kursk.

The conflict intensified on August 6 when Ukrainian forces launched an attack on the Russian border region of Kursk.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the numerous attacks originating from the Kursk region into Ukrainian territory require a strong response.

He noted that almsot 2,000 attacks have been directed at Ukrainian positions from the Kursk area alone.