The Russian border region of Belgorod declared a state of emergency on Wednesday following a series of attacks by Ukrainian forces. This marks a significant escalation in the conflict, with Kyiv asserting control over hundreds of square miles of Russian territory after an unusual cross-border incursion.
Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov described the situation as “extremely difficult and tense” in a video message posted on Telegram. The declaration comes just days after evacuations began in Belgorod due to Ukrainian advances, following Kyiv’s surprise entry into the neighboring Kursk region.
This shift in Ukraine’s tactics represents the first time foreign troops have entered Russian soil since World War II. Regional authorities are now appealing to the Russian government to declare a federal emergency, as the crisis deepens.
Gladkov reported that Ukrainian drones attacked two locations in Belgorod—Shebekino and the village of Ustinka—causing damage to residences but no casualties.
Meanwhile, Russia’s National Guard, known as the Rosgvardiya, has increased security measures around the Kursk Nuclear Plant following the incursion. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has expressed concerns about military activities near the plant, urging both sides to exercise restraint to avoid a potential nuclear incident.
On Wednesday, Russia’s defense ministry claimed to have destroyed dozens of drones and four tactical missiles over the Kursk region. The southwest region of Voronezh also reported the destruction of more than 35 Ukraine-launched drones, though no casualties were reported.
As Ukraine’s incursion continues, tens of thousands of Russians have fled their homes, while Moscow struggles to contain the attacks. Counter-terror operations have been imposed in Kursk, Belgorod, and Bryansk, another border region.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukrainian forces now control 74 settlements in Kursk and are preparing for further actions. The advance has posed a significant challenge for the Kremlin, with Russian President Vladimir Putin vowing to “kick the enemy out” of Russia, though his forces have yet to halt the Ukrainian progression.
US President Joe Biden acknowledged the situation on Tuesday, stating that the incursion is creating a “real dilemma for Putin” and that he is receiving regular updates from his staff.
