Ukrainian military. Photo: Gennadyy Savilom
The Russian authorities continue to evacuate thousands of people from the border areas of the Kursk region, while Ukraine prepares for possible massive missile strikes from Moscow. According to The Moscow Times, these actions are in response to the recent advance of Ukrainian troops 30 kilometers deep into Russian territory, the deepest incursion since the beginning of the war.
Sources in The Times say that Russia intends to respond to the invasion with a strike of “unprecedented severity”. It is believed that the Russian military could launch hundreds of missiles, including cruise and ballistic missiles, at key government facilities in Kyiv, including the parliament. According to the source, this should demonstrate Moscow’s “omnipotence” and punish Ukraine for its actions in the Kursk direction.
The Ukrainian side recognizes the increased threat of a massive missile attack, but remains confident in the ability of air defense systems to fight back. A representative of the Ukrainian military department emphasized that even in the event of a large-scale attack, they will be able to stop most of the missiles.
Statements about Russia’s preparations for a massive strike were also confirmed by another Ukrainian official in a comment for France Presse. However, the exact date of the possible strike remains unknown.
The British publication The Times emphasizes that the decision of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi to launch an offensive on the territory of Russia has become the most risky since the beginning of the war. The operation, which the independent Russian publication The Moscow Times already calls an “invasion”, caught not only Moscow by surprise, but also Kyiv’s Western allies.
According to the plan of the Ukrainian leadership, this operation is designed to distract Russian forces from key front-line areas in the east of Ukraine, in particular, from the cities of Chasiv Yar and Pokrovsk in Donbas, where the active offensive of Russian troops continues.
Mykhailo Podolyak, adviser to the President of Ukraine, noted that the purpose of this operation is to strengthen Kyiv’s negotiating position in the context of the ongoing war.
Against the background of these events, the Russian side continues to strengthen defensive positions near the Kursk nuclear power plant, which is confirmed by satellite images reviewed by BBC Verify.
The Russian authorities have announced the evacuation of more than 76,000 residents of the border areas of the Kursk region, where a state of emergency has been declared. These measures emphasize the seriousness of the situation and Russia’s preparation for a possible continuation of the escalation of the conflict.
