Residents of Russia’s Kursk region, which borders Ukraine, are urgently appealing for help with evacuation as they accuse authorities of insufficient action amid a significant attack by Kyiv’s forces. The assault, now in its second day, has escalated beyond previous incursions, suggesting a higher degree of preparation and intensity.
An Unprecedented Attack
Since last year, Ukraine has conducted multiple incursions into Russia’s border regions in response to Moscow’s full-scale invasion against Kyiv.
However, the latest attack on Kursk appears to be larger in scale and more strategically planned. Local officials have reported at least five fatalities and 24 injuries.
The Russian government has stated that approximately 300 Ukrainian troops, 11 tanks, and over 20 armored vehicles were involved in the assault.
Official Response
On Wednesday, the regional governor declared that the situation was “under control.” President Vladimir Putin has been briefed on the attack and is “personally monitoring” the unfolding events. Kursk Governor Alexei Smirnov praised the region’s resistance, repeating the Kremlin’s unsubstantiated claim that Kyiv’s government is controlled by neo-Nazis. “Over the past 24 hours, our region has been heroically resisting attacks by Ukrainian Nazis. All emergency services have been put on high alert,” Smirnov said.
Smirnov also stated that authorities had assisted “several thousand people” in evacuating. However, residents of the border areas in the Kursk region took to social media to accuse officials of not doing enough to help them. “Nobody cared about us… the refugees from that ‘country’ [Ukraine] were given everything at once… and [local] people left for nowhere and with nothing,” wrote Lika Ivanova from Sudzha, a town heavily shelled on Tuesday.
Public Outcry
Residents’ dissatisfaction was palpable. Kursk resident Andrei Nezlobin expressed his frustration on VKontakte, a Russian social media platform: “Why did our state allow this? If you can’t protect your people, do an evacuation. As a result, there are victims again.”
In response to the attack, blood donation centers were established in Kursk’s capital city to aid hospitals in the border region. President Putin, during a meeting with government officials, labeled the attack a “large-scale provocation” and accused Kyiv of firing “indiscriminately.” He ordered First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov to immediately oversee assistance to residents in affected areas.
Criticism of Defense Preparedness
Following the attack, Russian pro-war bloggers criticized the Defense Ministry for its apparent negligence. Anastasia Kashevarova, a pro-war blogger, noted, “We knew that the Ukrainian Armed Forces would advance into the Kursk region… but nothing was done at the top [of the Russian command].”
Another pro-war Telegram channel, Starshe Eddy, criticized the border troops’ readiness: “People at the front knew that the enemy would definitely try to strike a blow like that. But it seems to me that there are other people, maybe even wearing military uniforms… who were far from the front and did not believe in such a thing.”
Alexander Kots, a war correspondent for Russia’s Komsomolskaya Pravda tabloid, emphasized the severity of the situation. “The key difference between today’s battles in the Kursk region and previous ‘raids’ is that this is a military operation initiated by Kyiv on Russian territory.”
Escalation and Counterattacks
Footage published on social media showed Russian warplanes flying at low altitudes over the Kursk region to repel the attack.
The Russian Defense Ministry claimed that Ukrainian forces suffered significant losses, with 260 soldiers and 50 armored vehicles reportedly destroyed.
Russia’s air defense system also intercepted two Ukrainian missiles. However, these claims could not be independently verified.
Pro-war bloggers reported that at least 11 villages had been captured by Ukrainian forces, with regular enemy troops present up to 15 kilometers deep and 10-11 kilometers wide.
The Defense Ministry has not confirmed these reports, only stating that “the operation” against Ukrainian forces in Kursk was “ongoing.”
The situation in Sudzha, where Ukrainian forces reportedly captured the Sudzha gas metering station used for gas transit to Europe, was described as “very tense” by the city’s mayor.
Russian media reported that conscripted soldiers serving their mandatory military service were the first to repel the attack. Ukrainian forces allegedly captured at least six Russian soldiers, including two conscripts.
International and Domestic Reactions
Ukraine has not officially claimed responsibility for the incursion, which is the most serious in months.
Ukrainian presidential aide Mykhailo Podolyak alluded to the attacks on social media, criticizing Moscow for using its “border regions with impunity for massive air and artillery attacks.”
Internationally, the incursion has sparked concerns over escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine.
Western nations have called for restraint and emphasized the need for diplomatic solutions. The European Union reiterated its support for Ukraine’s sovereignty while urging both sides to avoid actions that could further destabilize the region.
Humanitarian Impact
The humanitarian impact of the attack on Kursk’s border regions is significant. Thousands of residents have been displaced, seeking refuge in safer areas.
Local authorities, despite criticism, are working to provide aid and support to those affected. Temporary shelters and emergency services have been set up to assist evacuees, although the demand for aid has strained resources.
Conclusion
The attack on Russia’s Kursk region marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. As residents call for more robust evacuation efforts and criticize the government’s response, the situation remains tense and fluid.
The international community watches closely, urging de-escalation and renewed efforts for a peaceful resolution. As the conflict continues, the human toll and geopolitical implications underscore the urgent need for a lasting solution to this protracted crisis.