Local authorities ordered residents of parts of Russia’s Belgorod region, bordering Ukraine, to evacuate in the early hours of Monday morning (12) as Kiev stepped up its incursion into Moscow territory.
Belgorod regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov urged residents to leave the Krasnoyarsk district, saying in a video posted on Telegram: “We had an alarming morning” due to “enemy activity.”
Ukrainian troops began their surprise offensive into Russian territory last Tuesday, advancing into parts of the Kursk region before expanding the campaign into the neighboring Belgorod region.
It is Kiev’s most significant incursion into Russian territory since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of its neighbor in 2022, and has provided a significant morale boost to Ukraine and its Western allies, who appear cautiously supportive of the operation.
Kremlin spokesmen have repeatedly insisted that Russia had the situation under control, but its forces were caught off guard by Ukraine’s attacks. Kiev’s troops have advanced up to 40 km (25 miles) into Russian territory since the offensive began on Tuesday, and have reportedly managed to repel Russia’s attempts to reinforce defending troops.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry said on Sunday that Moscow would deliver a “tough response” to the surprise incursion.
Later that day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia had started a fire in one of the cooling towers at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which is held by Moscow’s forces. This morning, Russian state media, which had claimed Ukraine was responsible for the blaze, said the fire had been extinguished.
Via News Agencies
Source: https://www.ocafezinho.com/2024/08/12/ucrania-intensifica-ofensiva-e-russia-ordena-evacuacao-de-2o-regiao/
