MOSCOW, August 12, 2024 — Russian President Vladimir Putin has directed his military to expel Ukrainian troops who have entered Russian territory, as officials reported that over 120,000 people have been evacuated from the conflict zone. This development follows Ukraine’s unexpected offensive into Russia’s western Kursk region last week, marking the most significant cross-border incursion since World War II.
In a televised meeting with government officials, Putin emphasized the need to protect Russian territory and maintain national unity. “One of the obvious goals of the enemy is to sow discord, strife, intimidate people, destroy the unity and cohesion of Russian society,” Putin stated. “The main task is, of course, for the defense ministry to dislodge the enemy from our territories.”
The Ukrainian offensive, which began last Tuesday, has resulted in the capture of over two dozen settlements, pushing up to 12 kilometers (7 miles) into Russian territory. The regional governor, Alexei Smirnov, confirmed that at least 12 civilians have been killed, and 121 more have been injured since the conflict began.
Authorities in Kursk have expanded evacuation orders to include the Belovsky district, affecting an additional 14,000 residents. Meanwhile, the neighboring Belgorod region announced evacuations in its border district of Krasnoyaruzhsky.
Smirnov detailed that Ukrainian forces have captured 28 towns and villages, establishing a new front line that spans 40 kilometers. This surprise attack has reportedly caught the Kremlin off guard, with Russia’s military quickly mobilizing reserve troops, tanks, aviation, artillery, and drones to respond.
Despite these efforts, Russian forces admitted on Sunday that Ukrainian troops had penetrated up to 30 kilometers (20 miles) into Russian territory in certain areas. The Russian defense ministry reported that some Ukrainian forces were near the villages of Tolpino and Obshchy Kolodez, approximately 25 to 30 kilometers from the Russia-Ukraine border.
A top Ukrainian official, speaking anonymously to AFP, revealed that the operation aims to stretch Russian defenses, inflict maximum losses, and destabilize the situation within Russia. The official also indicated that thousands of Ukrainian troops are involved in the operation.
Putin vowed that Russia would respond decisively, claiming that there has been an increase in men signing up to fight. “The enemy will receive a worthy riposte,” he asserted.
The Russian defense ministry also announced on Monday that its air defense systems had destroyed 18 Ukrainian drones, including 11 over the Kursk region.
The ongoing conflict has sparked fear and uncertainty among residents in the affected areas. Russia’s emergency situations ministry reported that over 44,000 residents in the Kursk region have applied for financial assistance, according to TASS news agency. Emergency trains have been organized to transport evacuees from Kursk to Moscow, approximately 450 kilometers away.
“It’s scary to have helicopters flying over your head all the time,” said Marina, a resident who fled to Moscow on Sunday. “When it was possible to leave, I left.”
Meanwhile, across the border in Ukraine’s Sumy region, AFP journalists observed dozens of Ukrainian armored vehicles bearing a white triangle insignia, marking the military hardware involved in the attack. At an evacuation center in Sumy, 70-year-old Mykola, who fled from the village of Khotyn near the Russian border, expressed his support for Ukraine’s incursion. “Let’s let them find out what it’s like,” he said. “They don’t understand what war is. Let them have a taste of it.”
Analysts suggest that Kyiv may have launched this assault to relieve pressure on its forces in other parts of the frontline. However, the Ukrainian official maintained that Russian pressure in the east continues, though the intensity of Russian attacks has diminished slightly. He also anticipated that Russia would “in the end” halt the incursion.
Ukraine is reportedly preparing for a large-scale retaliatory missile attack from Russia, possibly targeting decision-making centers within Ukraine.
