The governor of Russia’s Belgorod region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, has declared a state of emergency following escalating Ukrainian incursions.
As the conflict stretches into its second week, Gladkov reported that daily Ukrainian shelling is wreaking havoc, destroying homes and causing civilian casualties.
In a video posted on the Telegram messaging app, Gladkov described the situation in Belgorod as “extremely difficult and tense.”
This declaration follows Ukraine’s ongoing operations in the Kursk region, which have seen significant territorial advances.
Ukraine claims control over 74 towns and villages in Kursk, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announcing continued progress and strategic planning for further steps in the operation.
The incursion, which began on August 6, marks Ukraine’s most significant penetration into Russian territory since the start of Moscow’s full-scale invasion.
The surprise attack has heightened tensions, leading to President Vladimir Putin accusing Ukraine of “committing crimes” against Russian citizens and promising a “worthy response” from Moscow.
In response, Russia reported the destruction of 117 Ukrainian drones and several missiles overnight, primarily over Kursk, Voronezh, Belgorod, and Nizhny Novgorod regions. The Russian government maintains that Ukraine controls only half of the area Kyiv claims.
The conflict has led to a substantial humanitarian impact, with nearly 200,000 people evacuated from border regions.
Chioma Kalu
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