Russia’s leader responds to Ukrainian troops incursion in border Kursk region

Source: RIA Novosti

Russia’s president Vladimir Putin has described recent events in Russia’s Kursk region that saw Ukrainian troops adnvace across the border into Kursk region  as a “major provocation” . Speaking at a special  Security Council meeting today, August 7, Putin briefly addressed the situation, accusing Ukrainian forces of “indiscriminate shelling of civilian targets.”

The Russian leader is reportedly set to review report from security agencies on the Kursk situation later in the day.

Background:

On the morning of August 6, pro-Russian bloggers reported a border breach in Kursk. Acting governor Alexey Smirnov initially claimed that Russian border guards repelled the attack though later Russia’s defense ministry admitted the breach was happening,  esitmating the advance was led by a unit of 300 soldiers backed by tanks and armored vehicles.

Russia officials said Ukraine used he 22nd Mechanized Brigade for the incursion on Kursk. The brigade’s press service and the Ukrainian General Staff, as well as the Freedom of Russia Legion, haven’t commented on the situation.

By the evening of August 6, Russian authorities had reportedly evacuated 90% of residents from four villages in the Sverdlovsk community of the Sudzah region.

As of August 7, fighting continues in Kursk, with pro-Russian Telegram channels reporting that Ukrainian forces are advancing deeper into the region and that evacuation efforts are facing difficulties.  Some Russian bloggers  claim Ukrainian forces have seized one of Europe’s largest gas distribution stations at Sudhzah making Russian military chief consider withrawal from the town.  It is worth nothing the attack came close to Kursk nuclear power plant located some 60 km from Ukraine’s border.