IRIA News

Russia’s Kursk region is under a state of emergency following what President Vladimir Putin has described as a “large-scale provocation” by Ukrainian forces. The situation, which began with an alleged Ukrainian offensive, has escalated tensions near the border, raising concerns about the security of critical infrastructure.

Russian authorities reported ongoing clashes with Ukrainian troops who allegedly crossed into the Kursk region a day earlier. The situation prompted Kursk’s acting Governor Alexei Smirnov to declare a state of emergency. “To eliminate the consequences of enemy forces coming into the region, I took the decision to introduce a state of emergency in the Kursk region from 7 August,” Smirnov announced.

The incursion, which Russian officials claim involved up to 1,000 Ukrainian troops supported by tanks and armored vehicles, marks one of the most significant escalations in border tensions since the conflict between Russia and Ukraine began in February 2022. Russia’s Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov briefed President Putin on the situation, emphasizing the scale of the alleged attack.

“The enemy’s movement further into Russian territory has been prevented,” the Russian Defense Ministry stated on social media, adding that the operation to “destroy Ukrainian army units is continuing.”

In his remarks, Russian President Putin accused Ukraine of orchestrating a “large-scale provocation” and noted that several thousand people had been evacuated from the affected areas. “In the last 24 hours, our region has been heroically resisting attacks,” Governor Smirnov said, urging residents to donate blood for those injured in the clashes.

The Ukrainian forces reportedly advanced into the Russian settlements of Nikolayevo-Daryino and Oleshnya, both located just across the border from Ukraine’s Sumy region. The Russian town of Sudzha, which is home to the last operational trans-shipment point for Russian gas exports to Europe via Ukraine, was also reportedly targeted. Russian authorities reported at least five fatalities and 24 injuries because of the fighting.

In a significant move to protect vital infrastructure, Russia has deployed National Guard troops to the Kursk nuclear power plant, located just 60 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. The power plant, which serves Kursk and 19 other regions, is considered a critical asset, and additional forces have been sent to counter potential sabotage and reconnaissance activities in both the Kursk and Belgorod regions.

Ukraine has not directly acknowledged responsibility for the incursion. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in his televised address on Wednesday, refrained from mentioning the events in Kursk but emphasized the need to maintain pressure on Russia. “The more pressure put on Russia, the aggressor which brought war to Ukraine, the closer we come to peace. A just peace [achieved] through just strength,” Zelenskyy said.

Meanwhile, in the Sumy region of Ukraine, which borders Kursk, authorities ordered the evacuation of 23 settlements, affecting around 6,000 people. This move suggests heightened concerns about the safety of civilians in the border areas amid the escalating conflict.

In Washington, U.S. National Security spokesman John Kirby expressed caution when asked about the reported Ukrainian raid. “I’ll let the Ukrainians speak to their operations, one way or the other, that’s most appropriate. We’re going to stay focused on making sure they have what they need to defend themselves,” Kirby said, indicating that the U.S. is closely monitoring the situation.

This is not the first time Russian border regions have experienced incursions since the invasion of Ukraine began. In May 2023, the Ukrainian-based Freedom of Russia Legion, composed of Russian citizens, conducted raids into the Belgorod region. Earlier in March, the Russian Volunteer Corps claimed responsibility for a raid in the Bryansk region. However, neither group has commented on the recent events in Kursk.

As the situation unfolds, the region remains tense, with both sides on high alert. The incident underscores the ongoing volatility of the conflict, with potential implications for the broader geopolitical landscape.