Russian and Ukrainian authorities have reported multiple air attacks in border areas, leading to the evacuation of civilians from both sides.
Officials from Russia stated that their air defense systems successfully intercepted missiles and drones launched by Ukraine over regions bordering the country, including Belgorod, Kursk, and Voronezh. Additionally, drones were downed in Russia's Saratov region. Meanwhile, intense Russian bombing in Ukraine's northeastern border region of Sumy has prompted Kyiv to order the evacuation of civilians.
The Russian Defence Ministry, communicating via the Telegram messaging app, announced that air defense units intercepted a dozen rockets and missiles over the Belgorod region on Tuesday night. Shortly after, two more missiles, including a U.S.-made Patriot, were intercepted over the neighboring Kursk region.
Early Wednesday, Governor Roman Busargin of the Saratov region reported the interception of two Ukrainian-launched drones near the city of Engels, where Russia maintains a strategic bomber military base.
Fortunately, no casualties or significant damage were reported in these attacks. However, in response to the heightened risk, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov of Belgorod announced plans to temporarily transport 1,200 children from high-risk areas to other Russian regions by the end of the week. Additionally, approximately 9,000 people have requested evacuation assistance.
In Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy condemned Russia's persistent attacks on Sumy region in his nightly video address. He highlighted the significant damage caused by Russian aviation, with nearly 200 guided bombs dropped on communities in Sumy since the beginning of the month.
Authorities in Sumy reported 30 instances of shelling on Tuesday, resulting in one fatality in the border community of Velyka Pysarivka, which has been the focal point of ongoing evacuation efforts. Over the past week, around 200 people have been evacuated from endangered areas near Velyka Pysarivka, according to Ukrainian local officials.
Both Russia and Ukraine deny targeting civilians in the conflict that began with Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine two years ago, which has resulted in thousands of deaths and millions of displaced individuals.
The use of drones and other aerial weapons has increasingly become a significant aspect of the conflict, with attacks extending beyond traditional battlefields to target military, energy, and transport infrastructure on both sides.
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