Russia Evacuates Tens of Thousands Amid Ongoing Ukrainian Incursion

Moscow, The Gulf Observer: Russia is struggling to repel a significant Ukrainian incursion into its western Kursk region, now in its fifth day, as it evacuates tens of thousands of civilians and initiates a “counter-terror operation” amid growing concerns over the safety of a nearby nuclear power plant.

In what is being described as the largest and most successful cross-border offensive by Ukrainian forces in the two-and-a-half-year conflict, Ukrainian units have stormed into the Kursk region, advancing several kilometers. Russia’s military has responded by deploying reserves and additional equipment to the area, though both sides have refrained from disclosing detailed information about the forces involved.

Kiev has maintained operational silence regarding the offensive and has yet to publicly acknowledge its involvement in the attack.

Russia’s nuclear agency has issued a warning about a “direct threat” to the Kursk nuclear power station, which lies near the combat zone. Local officials reported that over 76,000 people have been evacuated from towns and villages close to the fighting, with emergency aid being delivered to the border area and additional trains being provided to transport people to Moscow.

“The war has come to us,” one woman told AFP after arriving at a Moscow train station on Friday, declining to give her name.

Russia’s military confirmed on Saturday that it continues to battle the Ukrainian forces, claiming that the initial incursion involved approximately 1,000 troops, 20 armored vehicles, and 11 tanks from Kiev. Despite the ongoing conflict, Russia has claimed to have destroyed five times that amount of Ukrainian military hardware so far.

As the situation remains tense, the world watches closely, with the potential risks to the nuclear power plant adding a critical dimension to the unfolding conflict.