Russian President Vladimir Putin broke his silence on Wednesday on Ukraine's cross-border armored assaults into the Kursk region of western Russia, calling the operation a "large-scale provocation."
"We have to start with the events in the Kursk region," he said at a meeting of his Security Council. "As you know, the Kyiv regime has carried out another large-scale provocation, firing indiscriminately with various types of weapons, including missiles, at civilian buildings, residential buildings, and ambulances."
The Context
Fierce clashes erupted in Kursk, which borders Ukraine's northeastern Sumy region, after Ukraine deployed troops and armored vehicles into the area on Tuesday. Anti-Kremlin militia groups have previously launched cross-border raids into Russia's Belgorod region.
What We Know
Putin and Russia's Defense Ministry pushed back against reports that Kyiv's forces have made significant advances into the Kursk region.
"Airstrikes, missile forces, artillery fire and a swift response by units defending the state border in the Kursk region prevented the enemy from advancing deep into the territory of the Russian Federation," the defense ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.
Alexei Smirnov, acting governor for the Kursk region, said on his Telegram channel that five civilians have been killed and 20 others injured amid fierce clashes.
Thousands of civilians have been evacuated so far, officials said.
Both Ukraine and Russia deny targeting civilians. Newsweek has contacted Ukrainian authorities for comment by email.
The Russian Telegram channel Rybar, founded by Mikhail Zvinchuk, a former employee of Russia's Defense Ministry, reported that Kyiv's forces have seized the settlements of Nikolaevo-Darino, Darino, and Sverdlikovo.
Views
Multiple Russian military bloggers have suggested on Telegram that Ukrainian forces have seized a number of villages, calling the situation "hell on earth" and saying that the assault had been long-planned.
"We knew that the Ukrainian Armed Forces would go to Kursk Oblast. We knew that they were pulling forces together. We knew everything as usual, the guys from the fields reported it, but the higher-ups did nothing," pro-war blogger Anastasia Kashevarova said on Telegram.
The Callsign OSETIN Telegram channel said: "Columns of equipment are moving across our lands, and the troops and infantry are nowhere to be found...there is no artillery, no tanks, no equipment, and did anyone prepare for this? Only aviation, operators and forward air controllers are working, border guards are also fighting."
Military blogger Ravreba said there is "a complete disregard for the state of war in Moscow."
"It is more convenient for the new Minister of Defense to calculate how much the grandfathers stole than to kick generals who do something only when they are bent over with a whip and an ax," Rabreva wrote.
What's Next?
Putin said he would meet with members of the defense ministry, Federal Security Service (FSB) border guards and his General Staff to discuss the situation after the Security Council meeting.
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