Muthomi Ireri
Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated from Russia’s Kursk region, which borders Ukraine, after Ukrainian forces breached the frontier a week ago. This marked the largest attack on Russian territory since the invasion of Ukraine began over two years ago.
The evacuees are currently being housed in temporary shelters in the city, where they are receiving food and clothing.
“There’s no light, no communication, no water—nothing. It feels like everyone has left the planet, and you’re all alone. Even the birds have stopped singing,” said Mikhail, one of the evacuees.
“Helicopters and planes were constantly flying overhead, and shells were landing nearby. What could we do? We left everything behind,” he added.
Another evacuee mentioned that there were no functioning shops, no trade, and no electricity in her town.
As residents continue to flee the border region, Russian forces have retaliated against Ukrainian troops with missile strikes, drones, and air attacks. In response to the situation, Russian authorities have declared a “federal-level” state of emergency in the Kursk, Bryansk, and Belgorod regions. They have also prepared 400 temporary accommodation centers across the country to provide refuge for those displaced.
Dj Vnyash
