Russia’s Belgorod region declares state of emergency as Ukrainian forces advance: ‘The situation is very difficult’

Russian region Belgorod Announced on Wednesday State of emergency throughout its territorywhich is located on the borders of the region Kurskwhere Ukrainian forces have been launching an offensive since the 6th of this month and claim to have captured it. 74 locations.

The situation in our region Belgorod Things are still very difficult and tense due to the shelling by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. “Houses are destroyed, civilians are killed and wounded,” wrote its governor. Vyacheslav Gladkov On a telegram.

“In order to ensure greater protection for the population and provide additional support to victims, A state of emergency will be declared at the regional level.He said starting Wednesday.

The governor added that The Russian government will be asked to declare the region in a state of emergency at the federal level.

After nearly two and a half years of war. Kyiv is trying to transfer the conflict to Russian territory On August 6, a large-scale operation was launched in the area. Kursk Which surprised the Russian forces.

In the area Belgorodas in the neighbors Kursk and BryanskAll of them are adjacent to Ukraine, since Friday.“Counter-Terrorism Operations System”implemented by the federal authorities.

The Russian military command announced Sending reinforcements to the Kursk region To counter the Ukrainian offensive, the first ground forces attack on Russian territory in nearly two and a half years of war.

According to Kyiv. In just eight days Ukrainian forces have taken control of more than a thousand square kilometers. From the territory of the Kursk region.

For comparison, Russia has acquired 1,360 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory since January 1, 2024.This is according to calculations based on data from the Institute. Study of war (ISW), which is based on Russian sources.

Ukrainian President, Volodymyr ZelenskyHe admitted on Tuesday that he did so. “Difficult and intense” battles. In this area, it is the largest incursion of a foreign army into Russian territory since the end of World War II.

Zelensky stressed that “There are 74 cities under Ukrainian control.” And that “hundreds” of Russians were taken prisoner.

According to what his army commander said. Oleksandr SyrskyUkrainian forces advanced “one to three kilometers” at some points during the day and took control of an additional “40 square kilometers.” The day before, Syrsky said they had taken control of 1,000 square kilometers of Russian territory.

For its part, the Russian forces stated that they had done so. “Failed” Ukrainian attempts to penetrate deep into Kursk.

But the governor of the region, Alexey SmirnovI admit that there is Lost control of 28 sites He pointed out that the Ukrainian operation covers an area 40 kilometers wide and 12 kilometers deep in Russian territory.

Spokesperson of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry George TejiHe stressed on Tuesday that he does not want to annex any area seized during the military operation in the country. Kursk And this will stop if Moscow accepts A. “Peace only.”

The former Soviet republic has been facing a military operation launched by Moscow, which occupies up to 20% of Ukrainian territoryincluding the peninsula Crimeaannexed in 2014.

the Negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow are strictly prohibited. Because of the difficulty of reconciling their demands.

Zelensky said he wanted to come up with a plan before the November presidential election in the United States.Its main ally to serve as the basis for a future peace summit involving the Kremlin.

For his part, his Russian counterpart said. Vladimir PutinThis made it a condition for the negotiations that Kiev give up the territories occupied by Moscow’s forces and abandon joining NATO, demands that are unacceptable to Ukraine and its Western allies.

On Monday, the Russian president accused Ukraine of carrying out the operation in Kursk “to improve its position in future negotiations.”

The Ukrainian incursion has forced Evacuation of more than 120 thousand peopleIt also caused 12 civilians killed More than a hundred people were injured, according to Russian regional authorities.

For Kyiv’s forces, after months of remaining on the defensive and giving way to a larger, better-armed enemy, the operation is a morale boost.

There have been no major victories in Ukraine in recent months. “Only the Russians have advanced,” he said. Agence France-Presse An anonymous commander in a field in the Sumy region, surrounded by tanks ready to go.

Another soldier in the area who took part in the attack confirms that Agence France-Presse who “The Russians fled” as they entered. Kursk. And he swears, full of optimism, that they will “stand their ground.”

(With information from AFP and EFE)