Ukraine’s top military commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi, has announced that Ukrainian forces now control 1,000 square kilometers of Russian territory as part of their largest cross-border operation since the full-scale war began two-and-a-half years ago. This offensive, which began seven days ago, continues to make progress in Russia’s Kursk region.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Russia, which had brought war to other countries, is now facing the consequences on its own soil. In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the Ukrainian offensive as a “major provocation” and ordered Russian forces to “expel the enemy from our territory.”
Read More: Putin Warns of “Worthy Response” as Ukraine Pushes into Russian Territory
The situation in the region has led to the evacuation of a growing number of residents. The local governor reported that around 59,000 people have been advised to leave the area, with 28 villages reportedly under Ukrainian control. The governor also mentioned that 12 civilians had been killed and described the situation as “difficult.”
Ukrainian troops launched their surprise attack last Tuesday, advancing up to 30 kilometers (18 miles) into Russian territory. This offensive has reportedly boosted morale among Ukrainian forces, but experts warn that it may also escalate the conflict. A senior British military source cautioned that Moscow might intensify its attacks on Ukrainian civilians and infrastructure in retaliation.
President Putin, in comments aired on state television, accused Ukraine of trying to create discord and fear among the Russian people. He emphasized that the primary goal of the Russian defense ministry is to drive the Ukrainian forces out of Russian territory.
The governor of the region reported that 121,000 people have been evacuated from their homes, with about 2,000 Russian citizens still in areas now occupied by Ukrainian forces. He expressed concern about their safety, stating, “We don’t know anything about their fate.” Residents were advised to take shelter in rooms without windows and with solid walls to protect themselves from missile strikes.
In the neighboring Belgorod region, approximately 11,000 people were also urged to evacuate due to “enemy activity on the border.” The governor of Belgorod, Vyacheslav Gladkov, issued similar warnings, advising people to seek shelter in their basements.
In his nightly address, President Zelensky acknowledged the ongoing offensive and emphasized that Russia must be compelled to seek peace. “Russia brought war to others; now it’s coming home. Ukraine has always wanted peace, and we will certainly achieve it,” Zelensky said.
Ukrainian officials have revealed that thousands of troops are involved in the operation, far exceeding the initial small incursion reported by Russian border guards.
During a meeting with President Zelensky in Kyiv on Monday, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham praised the Ukrainian operation as “brilliant” and “bold,” urging the Biden administration to provide Ukraine with the necessary weapons.
Some Russian commentators have expressed concern over Ukraine’s ability to penetrate the Kursk region. Pro-Russian war blogger Yuri Podolyaka described the situation as “alarming.” Meanwhile, Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova warned that a strong response from Russia’s armed forces “will not take long.”
In response to the situation, Belarus, a Russian ally, announced that it was increasing its troop presence along its border after alleging that Ukrainian drones had entered its airspace.
Meanwhile, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported on Monday that it had inspected a damaged cooling tower at the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in Ukraine following a fire on Sunday.
Read More: Fire Breaks Out at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant
The IAEA could not immediately determine the cause of the fire. President Zelensky accused Russia of deliberately starting the fire to “blackmail” Ukraine, while the Kremlin-appointed regional governor of Zaporizhzhia claimed that Ukrainian shelling was responsible.
