Russia says more than 76,000 residents evacuated from Kursk region amid fighting with Ukrainian troops

​​​​​​​By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - The Russian Emergency Situations Ministry said Saturday that more than 76,000 residents were evacuated from the Kursk region where fighting with Ukrainian troops entered a fifth day.

Residents of settlements located near the border with Ukraine and the area where clashes are ongoing were placed in points of temporary accommodation, ministry spokesman Artyom Sharov said at a news conference in Kursk.

He said 60 temporary accommodation points for those leaving territories bordering Ukraine have been organized in eight regions, including Kursk.

Overnight Aug. 5 - 6, Ukraine intensified shelling in the Kursk region. The artillery barrage was followed by an incursion of Ukrainian infantry, supported by tanks and armored vehicles, near the city of Sudzha.

Late Friday, Russia’s Lipetsk region adjacent to Kursk suffered a massive drone attack, which killed one person, set a military airfield on fire and damaged energy infrastructure, according to authorities.

Early Saturday, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that fighting in the Kursk region continued, noting that Russian aviation carried out strikes on Ukraine's positions and engaged tank units.​​​​​​​