Alexei Smirnov

Governor Alexei Smirnov reported that the economic damage to Russia from the Ukrainian invasion of the Kursk region has approached nearly 1 billion dollars. More than 150,000 people have been evacuated as a result of the conflict, according to his statements quoted by Reuters.

Russian President Vladimir Putin holds a meeting about the situation in border areas of Belgorod, Kursk and Bryansk regions of Russia, at Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside of Moscow, Russia, Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024.

Ukraine on Wednesday pressed its surprise offensive in Russian territory and bombarded the neighbouring border region of Belgorod, where the governor has declared a state of emergency.

Ukrainian forces entered Kursk region last Tuesday and have taken dozens of settlements in the biggest attack by a foreign army on Russian soil since World War II.

Ukraine's forces have claimed control over 1,000 square kilometers of Russian territory, according to Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi. He announced that Ukraine's military continues to conduct an offensive operation in Russia's Kursk region, a week after it began. This marks Kyiv's deepest incursion into Russian territory since the full-scale war commenced in February 2022.

Ukrainian servicemen operate a Soviet-made T-72 tank in the Sumy region, near the border with Russia, on August 12, 2024, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

President Vladimir Putin ordered his army on Monday to "dislodge" Ukrainian troops who have entered Russian territory as authorities said over 120,000 people had been evacuated away from the fighting.

In this pool photograph distributed by Russian state owned Sputnik agency, Russia's President, Vladimir Putin (L) attends a remote meeting with Kursk Region Governov, Alexei Smirnov via video call in Moscow, on August 8, 2024.

Russia has declared a state of emergency in the Kursk region due to escalating Ukrainian offensives, according to Politico. Acting Governor Alexei Smirnov announced via Telegram that the emergency measures took effect on August 7, aiming to address the impact of enemy forces entering the region.

The United States plans to consult with Ukrainian military officials to gain clarity on recent incursions into Russian territory, according to White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre. She noted that the US had no prior knowledge of these attacks.

Russia on Wednesday battled a major cross-border incursion from Ukraine for a second day, the most serious attack on Russian territory by Kiev's forces in months that prompted both countries to evacuate several thousand civilians.

A Ukrainian drone reportedly struck an ambulance in the Kursk region of Russia, killing both the driver and a paramedic, according to a statement from acting governor Alexei Smirnov. Smirnov also mentioned that a doctor was injured, although this information remains unverified, and there has been no response from the Ukrainian side following inquiries by Reuters.