Ukraine has locked down civilians near the Russian border over growing concerns about the severity of Moscow's response to the ongoing cross-border incursion in the Kursk.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine announced in a social media post that civilian movement would be restricted in parts of the Sumy region bordering Kursk over fears that Russian sabotage groups could jeopardize Kyiv's forces.
The measure was applied on August 13 due to an "increase in the intensity of hostilities" from Russian sabotage and reconnaissance groups operating in the area after Ukraine launched a stunning surprise attack, according to the post.
"Due to the increase in the intensity of combat, the activation of diversion intelligence groups, and the special operations forces of the enemy, and with the purpose of preserving the lives of civilian population and military personnel, the military command has introduced restrictions on the movement of all categories of citizens in the 20-kilometer border zone of the Sumy region," the post said.
Ukrainian officials said the measures would only be temporary but were vital while the attack on the Russian region of Kursk continued.
Residents of the newly restricted area can still access their homes by showing proof of registration, according to the statement by Ukraine's general staff.
Victoria Vdovychenko, program director for Security Studies at the Centre for Defense Strategies, told Newsweek the Ukrainian incursion has "paralyzed and humiliated the Russian Army."
"Due to the increased intensity of combat operations and high-risk potential of either sabotage or the work of reconnaissance groups, the Ukrainian military command advised imposing restrictions on the movement of all categories of citizens within a 20-kilometer border zone in the Sumy region," Vdovychenko said.
"Access to this area is permitted only to individuals carrying Ukrainian passports with the appropriate residency registration in this zone.
"Following initial attempts by the governor of Kursk to accuse the Ukrainian Armed Forces of using chemical weapons, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) warned that Russia is preparing to fabricate numerous allegations of Ukrainian war crimes.
"Reports from Ukrainian, Russian, and British sources have circulated comments from an anonymous Ukrainian official suggesting that Ukraine is bracing for hundreds of missiles and drones from Russia in retaliation for the Kursk Offensive."
Newsweek reached out to the Russian Defense Ministry for comment.
It comes after Russia began evacuations in the Belgorod region as it eyes rising military activity across the border in Ukraine.
"The enemy is active on the border of the Krasnoyaruzhsky district," Belogrod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov warned on Telegram on Monday.
"For the health and security of our population, we're beginning to move people who live in Krasnoyaruzhsky to safer places," he said. "I am sure that our servicemen will do everything to cope with the threat that has arisen."
Gladkov announced that he ordered Russian citizens to flee after authorities closed the entrance to the Krasnoyaruzhsky district of the Belgorod region, which borders Ukraine, and the Belovsky district, where the Ukrainian military entered.
The entrance is closed due to the "tense operational situation," said Andrei Miskov, head of the district administration.
Miskov said the measure is "temporary" to ensure the safety of residents.
The United Nations Human Rights Office has raised concerns about the impact on civilians after Ukraine's offensive in Russia.
"Wherever military operations are occurring by either side, the protection of civilians and civilian objects in accordance with international humanitarian law must be the top priority," a U.N. spokesperson said at a briefing on Tuesday.
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