Ukraine‘s forces have made notable advances into Russia‘s Kursk region, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy saying that these gains create a strategic buffer zone to protect Ukraine’s borders from Russian attacks. This move follows Kyiv’s recent surprise incursion into Russian territory, leaving Moscow scrambling to respond.
According to Reuters, Zelenskyy discussed establishing military commandant offices in newly occupied areas and noted the growing number of Russian prisoners of war, which could facilitate exchanges for Ukrainian fighters.Interior minister Ihor Klymenko emphasized that the buffer zone aims to protect Ukrainian border communities from Russian strikes.
Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk announced a 24-hour hotline for Kursk region residents wishing to evacuate to Ukraine. “Due to the possible deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the adjacent territories of the Kursk region of the Russian Federation, Ukraine must be ready to receive Russian refugees. Therefore, the Ministry of Reintegration has opened a 24-hour hotline for residents of the Kursk region who need humanitarian aid or wish to evacuate to Ukraine,” Vereshchuk posted on Telegram on Wednesday. She assured that “Ukraine complies with all norms of international humanitarian law” and would provide civilians in the Kursk region with necessary protection and humanitarian support.
Russian authorities have announced a mandatory evacuation for the border village of Glushkovo in the Kursk region. Kursk Governor Alexei Smirnov stated that the evacuation, prompted by the Ukrainian incursion, would be coordinated by law enforcement, the Russian military, and local government officials.
It is unclear how many people will be affected, but the Russian emergency ministry released footage of evacuations in the Lgov and Rylsk districts of the Kursk region, showing workers assisting elderly residents onto buses. One resident, Galina, described the fear of Ukrainian forces hitting homes “point blank” and how she narrowly escaped to a basement for shelter.
Ukraine has accused Russia of neglecting its civilians in Kursk, with Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko claiming residents “were abandoned by Russia without the most necessary things.” Klymenko said the military was now coordinating with his office to organize humanitarian aid, including drinking water, food, medicines, and hygiene kits.
Despite intense battles, Russian forces have been unable to expel Ukrainian troops from Kursk. Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to drive out the Ukrainian forces, claiming their incursion is intended to strengthen Kyiv’s position in future ceasefire talks.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy lauded Ukraine’s military for executing what he called “precise, timely, and effective” strikes on Russian airfields. Ukraine conducted its “biggest attack” on Russian airfields since the war began, with drones targeting four Russian airfields overnight, a source at the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) told CNN.
Zelenskyy praised the efficiency of Ukrainian drones but noted that some operations require more than just drones. “We need other weapons — missile weapons. And we continue to work with our partners on long-range solutions for Ukraine,” he said.
The incursion has raised significant risks for Ukraine, Russia, and the West, with concerns about a potential confrontation between Russia and NATO. US President Joe Biden confirmed ongoing contact with Kyiv but denied prior knowledge or involvement in the attack.
Ukraine’s push into Kursk continues, with Zelenskyy emphasizing that the operation aims to create a security zone within Russia to protect Ukraine’s border regions.
According to Reuters, Zelenskyy discussed establishing military commandant offices in newly occupied areas and noted the growing number of Russian prisoners of war, which could facilitate exchanges for Ukrainian fighters.Interior minister Ihor Klymenko emphasized that the buffer zone aims to protect Ukrainian border communities from Russian strikes.
Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk announced a 24-hour hotline for Kursk region residents wishing to evacuate to Ukraine. “Due to the possible deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the adjacent territories of the Kursk region of the Russian Federation, Ukraine must be ready to receive Russian refugees. Therefore, the Ministry of Reintegration has opened a 24-hour hotline for residents of the Kursk region who need humanitarian aid or wish to evacuate to Ukraine,” Vereshchuk posted on Telegram on Wednesday. She assured that “Ukraine complies with all norms of international humanitarian law” and would provide civilians in the Kursk region with necessary protection and humanitarian support.
Russian authorities have announced a mandatory evacuation for the border village of Glushkovo in the Kursk region. Kursk Governor Alexei Smirnov stated that the evacuation, prompted by the Ukrainian incursion, would be coordinated by law enforcement, the Russian military, and local government officials.
It is unclear how many people will be affected, but the Russian emergency ministry released footage of evacuations in the Lgov and Rylsk districts of the Kursk region, showing workers assisting elderly residents onto buses. One resident, Galina, described the fear of Ukrainian forces hitting homes “point blank” and how she narrowly escaped to a basement for shelter.
Ukraine has accused Russia of neglecting its civilians in Kursk, with Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko claiming residents “were abandoned by Russia without the most necessary things.” Klymenko said the military was now coordinating with his office to organize humanitarian aid, including drinking water, food, medicines, and hygiene kits.
Despite intense battles, Russian forces have been unable to expel Ukrainian troops from Kursk. Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to drive out the Ukrainian forces, claiming their incursion is intended to strengthen Kyiv’s position in future ceasefire talks.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy lauded Ukraine’s military for executing what he called “precise, timely, and effective” strikes on Russian airfields. Ukraine conducted its “biggest attack” on Russian airfields since the war began, with drones targeting four Russian airfields overnight, a source at the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) told CNN.
Zelenskyy praised the efficiency of Ukrainian drones but noted that some operations require more than just drones. “We need other weapons — missile weapons. And we continue to work with our partners on long-range solutions for Ukraine,” he said.
The incursion has raised significant risks for Ukraine, Russia, and the West, with concerns about a potential confrontation between Russia and NATO. US President Joe Biden confirmed ongoing contact with Kyiv but denied prior knowledge or involvement in the attack.
Ukraine’s push into Kursk continues, with Zelenskyy emphasizing that the operation aims to create a security zone within Russia to protect Ukraine’s border regions.
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