Russia Orders Evacuation of Rylsk and Khomutovsky Districts Near Ukraine Border

Sep 16, 2024, 12:41 PM

Russian authorities have announced a mandatory evacuation of residents from the Rylsk and Khomutovsky districts in the Kursk region, which are within a 15-kilometer zone from the Ukrainian border. Acting Governor Alexey Smirnov stated that the evacuation is necessary to ensure the safety of civilians amid a potential encirclement threat to 8,000 Russian troops in the region. The newly-created evacuation zone covers 1,100 square kilometers. The evacuation follows a cross-border incursion by Ukrainian forces, which has prompted Russia to evacuate multiple settlements in the area almost six weeks after Ukraine launched its surprise incursion.