Russian authorities in Belgorod Oblast have begun evacuating residents from the Krasnoyaruzhsky District as Ukrainian forces reportedly continue their advance into Russian territory.
The Kyiv Independent reports that on August 12, Belgorod Governor Viacheslav Gladkov announced the evacuation, citing increased 'enemy activity' near the Ukrainian border.
Ukrainian Forces Cross into Russia
The situation escalated when Ukrainian forces crossed into Russia’s Kursk Oblast on August 6.
This is the first known instance of regular Ukrainian troops entering Russian territory.
Since then, Ukraine has reportedly advanced deeper into Kursk Oblast, engaging in ongoing battles with Russian forces.
The incursion has now extended to neighboring Belgorod Oblast, with Ukrainian troops allegedly sighted in the village of Poroz on August 10.
"It has been an alarming morning," Gladkov said on August 12, referring to the reported enemy activity on the border of Krasnoyaruzhsky District.
The district is home to about 14,000 people according to the 2021 census.
Counter-Terrorism Measures
Gladkov said that he believed Russian soldiers would be able to "cope with the threat that has arisen, but in order to protect the lives and health of our population, we are starting to move people who live in Krasnoyaruzhsky District to safer places."
On August 10, Gladkov announced the closure of entry to the village of Poroz, located in the district neighboring Krasnoyaruzhsky, due to the imposition of a "counter-terrorism operation regime."
So far, Ukrainian officials and military command have not officially commented on the operations in Kursk Oblast.
Media reports rely on limited and often unverified information from Russian Telegram channels and videos of Ukrainian forces that have surfaced anonymously.
In response to Ukraine's incursion, Russian authorities introduced a "counter-terrorism operation" in the border regions of Kursk, Bryansk, and Belgorod oblasts on August 9.
On the same day, Russia's Defense Ministry announced the deployment of additional military equipment to the Sudzha district in Kursk Oblast, located just 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the Ukrainian border.
