Kursk turmoil: Mass evacuation and unexpected military surrenders

The situation in the Kursk region is becoming increasingly dynamic. Thousands of residents have decided to evacuate. According to reports confirmed by Ukrainian politician and analyst Anton Herashchenko, on Wednesday, over one hundred Russian soldiers in the Kursk region surrendered to Ukrainian forces. This includes Chechens from the notorious "Akhmat" battalion of Ramzan Kadyrov.

In recent days, the Kursk region has become the scene of intense military action. The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations has declared a state of emergency, and residents of the town of Lgov, located near Kursk, are hastily leaving their homes, even though authorities claim that a formal evacuation is unnecessary.

Acting Governor of the Kursk region Alexei Smirnov announced that authorities decided to evacuate the civilian population from border towns deeper into the country.

His report shows over 23,000 people have been evacuated from the endangered areas. A temporary tent city and an evacuation centre have been set up in Kursk, where refugees can find shelter and assistance.

Now, according to reports revealed by Ukrainian politician Anton Herashchenko, on Wednesday, August 14th, in the Kursk region, over one hundred Russian soldiers surrendered to Ukrainian forces.

The Ukrainian politician added that the Security Service of Ukraine captured 102 soldiers of the 488th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the Russian Armed Forces and the notorious "Akhmat" unit of Ramzan Kadyrov. This all happened in the Kursk direction.

The Special Group "Alfa" soldiers captured a company fortress, which was branched out, concreted, and qualitatively fortified on all sides – with underground communications and personnel rooms, a cafeteria, an armoury, and even a bathhouse.

The enemy was not going to surrender; there were more than enough provisions and ammunition – he explains.

Ukrainian soldiers entered Russia, occupying certain localities in the Kursk region and attacking those in Belgorod and Lipetsk. Pro-Kremlin political analyst Sergei Markov stated that Ukraine could have occupied an area of approximately 250 square kilometres.

It could take Russia up to a year to regain these territories. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky states that his military controls at least 74 localities.

According to the Russian independent portal Astra, hundreds of conscripts refusing military service were forcefully transported from Saint Petersburg to Kursk. Some were lured under the pretext of urgent construction work. They were already given rifles, and it was only a matter of time before they joined the fight against the Ukrainians.

Unless they surrender first to the advancing Armed Forces of Ukraine.