Russia evacuates over 100,000 people from Kursk

Acting governor of Russia's Kursk region Alexey Smirnov has said that over 130,000 residents were evacuated.

Smirnov made these remarks during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin dedicated to the situation in the border regions, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

The evacuation has affected eight districts in the Kursk region, with a total population of 152,566. As of now, 133,190 people have left the area, while approximately 19,376 people remain.

Fighting in the Kursk region has been ongoing since August 6, with federal emergency and counter-terrorism regimes currently in effect. The Russian Defence Ministry reports that attempts by Ukrainian forces to breach defences have been thwarted, with estimates suggesting that over 4,700 Ukrainian soldiers have been lost in the conflict. On August 20, the formation of "Belgorod," "Kursk," and "Bryansk" military groupings was announced.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that one objective of the operation in Kursk is to establish a "buffer zone," with additional goals including strengthening Ukraine's negotiating position. In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin has condemned the Ukrainian actions in Kursk as provocative and has pledged a "proportionate response."