Ukraine, Russia’s Belgorod region declares state of emergency

(ANSA) – MOSCOW, AUGUST 14 – A state of emergency was declared today in the Russian region of Belgorod. “The situation remains extremely difficult and tense due to the shelling of the Ukrainian armed forces. Houses have been destroyed, there are dead and wounded among civilians,” wrote this morning on Telegram the governor Vyacheslav Gladkov, announcing that “a state of emergency has been established at the regional level”. Gladkov explained that the measure is being taken “to ensure greater protection of the population and provide additional support to the victims”. The authorities of the Kursk, Voronezh and Bryansk regions reported that drones coming from Ukraine were shot down tonight by Russian air defenses. Since August 6, Ukraine has been conducting a major offensive in the Kursk oblast, claiming the conquest of more than 1,000 square kilometers of Russian territory. The authorities in Moscow have acknowledged the loss of 28 localities. According to the American think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Kiev’s troops have advanced 800 square kilometers of the Kursk region while since January 1, 2024, Moscow’s troops have penetrated 1,360 square kilometers into Ukrainian territory. (ANSA).