Amid growing Ukrainian military advances into Russian territory, Russian authorities have ordered the evacuation of additional border regions. The evacuations have been concentrated in the Kursk and Belgorod regions, where Ukrainian forces have made significant inroads. The latest developments mark the most substantial Ukrainian incursion into Russia since the conflict began in February 2022.
Russian officials reported that Ukrainian forces have penetrated as far as 35 kilometers (21 miles) into Russian territory, particularly around the city of Sudzha in the Kursk region. The Ukrainian advance has overwhelmed Russian defenses, which were largely manned by under-equipped border guards and conscripts. The scale of the Ukrainian operation, which began on August 6, involved several battalions supported by special forces and air defense units, catching the Russian military off guard.
Ukraine To Now Invade Belgorod? Russia Reports "Alarming Enemy Activity", Evacuates Border District
Russia ordered additional evacuations in a region bordering Ukraine amid an unprecedented Kyiv offensive in Kursk. Ukraine sent troops into Russia's border region of Kursk on… pic.twitter.com/8xd4E6MDXE
— Point Blank News (@_pblanknews) August 12, 2024
In response to the Ukrainian advances, Russia has mobilized reinforcements and launched airstrikes using helicopters, jets, and tactical ballistic missiles to slow down the Ukrainian momentum.
However, the Ukrainian forces have continued to push forward, capturing key infrastructure, including the "Sudzha" gas metering station, which is part of a critical pipeline that still pumps gas from Russia to Europe through Ukraine.
🚨 BREAKING: Local authorities have ordered residents in parts of Russia's Belgorod region to evacuate, as Ukraine intensifies its incursion into Moscow's territory.
Read the story: https://t.co/fbhk7VSEZn pic.twitter.com/r2zfPzQlzx
— POLITICOEurope (@POLITICOEurope) August 12, 2024
The Ukrainian offensive appears to be strategically designed to weaken Russian forces by forcing them to spread their resources thin across a broader front. Military experts suggest that Ukraine's goal may be to exert pressure on Moscow, creating a buffer zone along the contested areas, and potentially strengthening its position in any future peace negotiations. The move has also highlighted Russia's vulnerabilities, particularly in regions that have been lightly defended since the onset of the war.
Despite these gains, the Ukrainian advance comes with significant risks. While Ukraine has gained new fighting power through Western military support, sustaining control over captured Russian territory may prove challenging. Russian forces are likely to intensify their efforts to regain lost ground, with additional troops and resources being deployed to the region.
The situation remains fluid, with ongoing fierce battles reported near the villages of Tolpino and Obschy Kolodez in the Kursk region. Russian authorities have accused Ukraine of trying to "intimidate the peaceful population of Russia," a charge Kyiv denies.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, addressing the incursion for the first time, justified the offensive by pointing to the thousands of cross-border attacks launched by Russia from Kursk over the summer.
