Russian authorities on Monday ordered the forced evacuation of two more districts bordering Ukraine in Kursk, amid a counteroffensive by Moscow forces to thwart an incursion by Ukrainian troops in the region.
Kursk governor Alexey Smirnov indicated in a telegram that the towns are close to the 15-kilometer border line.
The decision was taken to ensure the safety of residents of the border areas of Rilsk and Komudovsky Districts, which are a few kilometers away from the war zones. Both local authorities, security forces and volunteers from the Patriot Center are responsible for the evacuations.
Meanwhile, the Russian military said it had taken two more positions in Kursk, one of which was near Chutsa, Ukraine’s main stronghold in the border region. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the Sever military group regained control of the town of Borgi, about 14 kilometers southeast of Chudja.
In addition, Russian troops also captured the village of Uspenovka, south of Snagost, on the same border with Ukraine, a stronghold that was recaptured by Moscow last week.
The reports came after Ukrainian diplomatic chief Andriy Sybiga called on the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross to visit the Russian region of Kursk occupied by Kiev’s forces.
Other news for tomorrow:
⇒ The Danish government will deliver a new batch of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine by the end of this year, the Scandinavian country’s Defense Minister Trolls Lund Paulsen told Ritzau in an interview. For security reasons, it did not specify the exact number of aircraft, but indicated that they would be delivered by the end of the year.
⇒ Sweden is ready to lead NATO ground forces in Finland, which shares a border with Russia, to bolster its deterrence force, two new members of the military alliance announced. No decision has yet been made on the exact number and location of troops, Finland’s Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen told a press conference with his Swedish counterpart, Pål Jonson.
⇒ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed Republican White House nominee Donald Trump’s emergence “safe and sound” from an apparent second assassination attempt. “This is our principle: the rule of law is fundamental and political violence must not take place anywhere in the world”, he reiterated in a message posted on the social network X (formerly Twitter).
⇒ Russian President Vladimir Putin has decreed that by December 1, the Russian army should have 1.5 million soldiers, including administrative staff, 180 thousand more than the current number. Putin has already ordered the government to allocate budget funds to implement the hike.
⇒ Lviv, the largest city in western Ukraine, 70 kilometers from Poland, has suffered some Russian attacks with missiles and drones. However, on September 4, the story changed. Read Andre Luis Alves’ report on the city.
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