Putin evacuates 76,000 in wake of Ukrainian advance

Russia has evacuated more than 76,000 people in the Kursk region as Ukrainian troops push further into its territory.

- HOWARD MUSTOE

Vladimir Putin has been forced to call in reserve troops to aid what Moscow is calling a “counterterrorism operation”. At the same time, a federal-level emergency was declared in Russia over the incursion.

As the attack entered its fifth day, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky praised his army’s ability “to surprise” and “achieve results”.

Around 1,000 Ukrainian troops in tanks and armoured vehicles advanced across the Russian border and into the Kursk region in the early hours of Tuesday, with US-based analysts suggesting they had penetrated more than six miles into Russia, breaking through two defensive lines and a stronghold.

The move marks a step change in the conflict and could offer President Zelensky bargaining power with Moscow should he choose to use it. Nonetheless, his aims are as yet unclear.

Overnight, Ukraine claimed to have hit a Russian military airfield in the Lipetsk region – more than 100 miles into Russia – causing a large fire and damaging guided bomb stockpiles at an airfield housing Su-34, Su-35 and MiG-31 warplanes.

In retaliation, the Russian defence ministry said the army had conducted airstrikes against Ukrainian targets, using muchfeared thermobaric weapons that create destructive shockwaves when used and also form a vacuum which can suffocate troops.