Ukraine claims its forces advanced further into Russia’s Kursk region, gaining more ground and capturing the Russian town of Sudzha.
ADVERTISEMENTKyiv captured the Russian town of Sudzha as troops further advance into the Kursk region. A Ukrainian military commander’s office will be set up, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, although the function of the office remains unclear.
Satellite images taken on Wednesday by Planet Labs PBC show damage to an air base in Borisoglebsk after it was struck by a Ukrainian drone. The images show the attack caused damage to two hangars. It remains unclear which purpose the hangars served.
There also appeared to be damage potentially done to two fighter aircraft at the base.
Experts suggest the attack may be a diversion to prevent Russian airstrikes on Ukraine, as well that it could hinder Russian advancement in the Donbass.
Russia declared a federal-level state of emergency for border region of Belgorod, which is next to Kursk, after a regional level emergency was declared the day prior.
Russian Defense Ministre Andrey Belousov spoke at a meeting with military officials and Belgorod’s regional governor, and said a plan was put into place to ensure territorial integrity and the protection of the border regions.
“First of all, we are talking about improving the effectiveness of the command and control system in cooperation with other law enforcement agencies and the administration of the Belgorod region” Belousov says. He adds that measures include “identifying responsible officials, allocating additional forces and funds that will be sent to fulfill the main tasks.”
Roughly 120,000 people have been evacuated or fled Kursk.
Meanwhile, Kursk’s regional governor has ordered the evacuation of additional Kursk regions.
People were boarding buses in Rylsk and Lgovsk on Wednesday, and military personnel and local authorities are working to evacuate residents from Glushkovo.
Russian officials say roughly 121,000 people have been evacuated from Kursk since Ukraine began its surprise cross-border offensive on 6 August.