Belgorod Declares State of Emergency as Ukraine Advances into Russian Territory
Belgorod, Russia – The governor of Russia's Belgorod region declared a state of emergency on Wednesday as Ukrainian forces continued their incursion into Russian territory, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict.
"The situation in the Belgorod region remains extremely difficult and tense," Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov announced in a video posted on the Telegram messaging app. He noted that daily shelling by Ukrainian armed forces has caused widespread destruction, with homes destroyed and civilians killed or wounded.
"In response to these ongoing attacks, we are declaring a regional state of emergency throughout the Belgorod region, with a subsequent appeal to the government to consider declaring a federal emergency situation," Gladkov added.
This decision comes amid Ukraine's intensified missile and drone attacks on Russian regions, including Kursk, Voronezh, and Nizhny Novgorod. Ukrainian forces claim to be advancing deeper into Russian territory in what is being described as the largest foreign incursion into Russia in decades. The White House acknowledged that this offensive has created a "real dilemma" for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Ukrainian incursion began in the early hours of August 6, with thousands of troops crossing into Russia's Western Kursk region. Despite intense battles, Ukrainian forces have managed to carve out a slice of Kursk, dealing a significant blow to Russian defenses. Although Russian commanders claim the front in Kursk has stabilized, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asserts that his forces are continuing to advance and has instructed his generals to develop the next "key steps" in the operation.
Russia's military reported on Wednesday that it had destroyed 117 Ukrainian drones overnight, primarily in the Kursk, Voronezh, Belgorod, and Nizhny Novgorod regions. The Russian military also claimed to have shot down missiles and released footage of Sukhoi Su-34 bombers striking Ukrainian positions in Kursk.
The offensive has dramatically shifted the narrative around the war, with Ukraine's incursion into Russia representing the largest foreign attack on Russian soil since World War II. The move has forced nearly 200,000 Russians to evacuate border regions, further complicating the situation for the Kremlin.
President Putin, who ordered the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, has characterised the Ukrainian offensive as a provocation designed to improve Kyiv's negotiating position ahead of potential peace talks. However, the attack appears to be hardening Russia's stance, with Putin questioning the feasibility of negotiations with an enemy he accuses of indiscriminately targeting Russian civilians and nuclear facilities.
The Ukrainian offensive also presents risks for Kyiv, as it may leave other parts of the front exposed by committing forces to an operation in Russian territory. Despite these risks, Ukraine has claimed control of at least 1,000 square kilometers (386 square miles) of Russian land, more than double the amount indicated by Moscow's figures. However, these claims have not been independently verified.
As the conflict continues to evolve, both Kyiv and Moscow face increasing pressure to consider negotiations. However, with the situation on the ground rapidly changing, the prospects for a peaceful resolution remain uncertain.