Russian authorities have initiated evacuations in the Belgorod region in response to increased military activity across the border in Ukraine. The governor of Belgorod, Vyacheslav Gladkov, announced on Monday that he has ordered civilians in a specific part of the region to seek safety. Gladkov warned that “the enemy is active near the border of the Krasnoyaruzhsky district” and urged the population to relocate to safer areas for their own well-being. “I am confident that our soldiers will do everything to address the emerging threat,” he stated via Telegram.

It is, however, unclear how many residents have been evacuated from Belgorod, which has faced bombardment from Ukrainian missiles and drones in recent months. According to reports, Kyiv has intensified its military operations near the Belgorod border since a significant Ukrainian offensive in Kursk, which began on August 6.

Russia has vowed a strong response to Ukraine’s major incursions into Russian territory since the invasion in 2022. More than 76,000 people have fled from the Kursk border, and there are also reports indicating that Moscow has stabilized the front in Kursk, despite Ukraine continuing to gain some territory where fighting persists.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed that Ukraine has launched incursions into Russian territory to “restore justice” and apply pressure on Moscow’s forces. In response to the heightened threat, Russia has implemented extensive security measures in the Kursk, Bryansk, and Belgorod regions.

Additionally, Russia’s ally, Belarus, has announced that they will increase the number of troops at their border and have complained about Ukrainian drones violating their airspace. The bold Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory are viewed as part of Kyiv’s efforts to demonstrate to the West that they can still carry out significant military operations while preparing for potential ceasefire negotiations.

The current situation continues to shape the conflict between the two nations, where Russian forces possess significant numerical superiority and control 18 percent of Ukrainian territory.