Putin Orders Russian Forces to Expel Ukrainian Troops from Captured Territory
President Vladimir Putin has directed the Russian military to “dislodge” Ukrainian forces that have breached Russian territory, as authorities report that over 120,000 people have been evacuated from the conflict zones. This development follows Kyiv’s unexpected offensive into Russia’s western Kursk region last Tuesday, marking the most significant incursion on Russian soil since World War II.
Putin addresses the nation
During a televised meeting with government officials, Putin emphasized the perceived threat posed by the Ukrainian incursion. “One of the obvious goals of the enemy is to sow discord, strife, intimidate people, destroy the unity and cohesion of Russian society,” Putin stated. He underscored the primary objective for the Russian defense ministry: “The main task is, of course, for the defense ministry to dislodge the enemy from our territories.”
Regional governor Alexei Smirnov reported that 121,000 people have fled the Kursk region since the fighting began, which has resulted in at least 12 civilian deaths and 121 injuries. In response to the escalating situation, Kursk authorities expanded the evacuation area to include the Belovsky district, home to approximately 14,000 residents. The neighboring Belgorod region also initiated evacuations in its border district of Krasnoyaruzhsky.
Ukrainian offensive advances
Ukraine’s forces have reportedly advanced 12 kilometers (seven miles) into Russian territory, capturing 28 towns and villages across a 40-kilometer-long front. Smirnov detailed the extent of the incursion, which has surprised the Kremlin and stretched Russian defenses thin.
A senior Ukrainian official, speaking anonymously to AFP, revealed that the operation aims to “stretch the positions of the enemy, to inflict maximum losses and to destabilize the situation in Russia as they are unable to protect their own border.”
Putin, in his address, vowed a strong response, claiming an increase in Russian men signing up to fight. “The enemy will receive a worthy riposte,” he declared.
Russian military response
The sudden assault caught the Kremlin off guard, prompting a swift deployment of reserve troops, tanks, aviation, artillery, and drones in an attempt to quell the advance. Despite these efforts, Russia’s defense ministry acknowledged on Sunday that Ukrainian forces had penetrated up to 30 kilometers (20 miles) into Russian territory in some areas. Ukrainian forces were reported to be near the villages of Tolpino and Obshchy Kolodez, about 25 and 30 kilometers from the Russia-Ukraine border, respectively.
The Russian defense ministry also reported on Monday that its air defense systems had intercepted 18 Ukrainian drones, including 11 over the Kursk region.
Civilians caught in the crossfire
The conflict has left thousands of civilians displaced and in need of assistance. Russia’s emergency situations ministry reported that over 44,000 residents in the Kursk region have applied for financial aid, according to TASS news agency. Emergency trains from Kursk to Moscow, approximately 450 kilometers away, have been organized for those fleeing the violence.
“It’s scary to have helicopters flying over your head all the time,” said Marina, who declined to give her surname. She was among those who arrived by train in Moscow on Sunday. “When it was possible to leave, I left.”
Across the border in Ukraine’s Sumy region, AFP journalists observed dozens of armored vehicles bearing a white triangle, which appears to be the insignia used to identify Ukrainian military hardware involved in the attack.
At an evacuation center in Sumy, 70-year-old retired metalworker Mykola, who fled his village of Khotyn near the Russian border, expressed support for Ukraine’s incursion into Russia. “Let’s let them find out what it’s like,” he told AFP. “They don’t understand what war is. Let them have a taste of it.”
Broader implications and expectations
Analysts speculate that Kyiv’s assault may be intended to alleviate pressure on Ukrainian forces elsewhere along the frontline. However, the Ukrainian official noted that Russian pressure in the east persists, despite a slight decrease in the intensity of their attacks. “Their pressure in the east continues, they are not pulling back troops from the area,” the official said.
Ukraine is now bracing for a potential large-scale retaliatory missile strike, possibly targeting “decision-making centers” within the country, according to the official.