Ukrainian forces advance near Kursk as Putin reassures region
"Reuters" reported that, according to Russian military bloggers, the Ukrainian army is heading toward the nuclear power plant in Kursk, located about 70 kilometres from the town of Sudzha. Earlier, they reported the capture of the gas measuring station in Sudzha. Putin spoke with the governor of the Kursk region.
Much of the information provided by Russian media or government officials is part of propaganda. Such reports are part of the information war waged by the Russian Federation.
Currently, Russian bloggers report that fighting is taking place in the village of Kromskie Byki, located about 30 kilometres from the border.
What is Putin promising?
Acting governor of the Kursk region, Alexey Smirnov informed that he held a virtual meeting with Vladimir Putin, during which he presented the situation in the region. According to Smirnov, several doctors were killed during the evacuation. Putin promised 10,000 rubles for each person evacuated from endangered towns.
During the meeting with Putin, Smirnov said he spoke with Igor Sechin, the CEO of state petrochemical conglomerate Rosneft, about securing gas stations. He also mentioned that he prohibited local authorities from raising prices in the region's interior, where residents of border towns were fleeing.
According to "Ukrainian Pravda," Vladimir Putin was reported to have told Smirnov: "Life poses extraordinary, challenging tasks of helping people. While you certainly have the necessary professional knowledge, skills, and experience, they alone are not enough. In today’s circumstances, you need a certain level of courage and composure…"
According to Ukrainian sources, the Ukrainian army has captured about 300 Russian soldiers since the beginning of the fighting on Russian territory. The Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation has not confirmed these reports.
