Russia is evacuating tens of thousands of people from its Kursk region, which has been invaded by Ukrainian troops. Local officials reported that more than 76,000 people have been moved to safe places. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy acknowledged the operation in Kursk, stating that it was part of Ukraine’s drive to restore justice after Russia’s invasion. Russia’s defence ministry claimed to have prevented Ukraine from advancing further into Kursk, with fighting in three villages near the international border.
The Kursk nuclear power station, located less than 30 miles from the fighting, was warned of a direct threat by Russia’s nuclear agency. Reports of regional power outages in the Kursk region due to attacks on an electricity substation were also made. Belarus reinforced its border with Ukraine after Ukrainian drones violated its airspace during the Kursk incursion. Ukraine’s navy attacked a former gas platform used by Russian forces in the Black Sea.
Three people were killed in two Russian attacks on Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk and Kharkiv regions. Furthermore, one civilian was killed in a Ukrainian drone attack in the Russian city of Lipetsk. Ukraine reported the lowest number of combat engagements on its territory since June, indicating potential relief on other parts of the frontline. Russia launched an air attack on Kyiv, with air defence systems repelling the strikes.
Zelenskiy pledged to strengthen Ukraine’s spiritual independence, potentially leading to a ban on the Moscow-linked branch of the Orthodox church. The Moscow-linked church has been accused of aiding the invasion and trying to sway public opinion.
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