By Elena Teslova
MOSCOW (AA) - Russian authorities on Friday announced that the entry to six settlements in the Belgorod region bordering Ukraine will be closed starting Aug. 19.
"Starting Aug. 19, we have been closing the entrance to five settlements in the region, relocating residents along with their personal belongings. In the Krasnoyaruzhsky district, we are temporarily closing the entrance to the village of Kolotilovka," Belgorod region Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said in a statement on Telegram.
The settlements are located close to the Kursk region, where the Russian-Ukrainian fighting has continued since Aug. 6.
Meanwhile, acting Governor of the Kursk region Alexey Smirnov reported that the Ukrainian troops blew up a bridge across the Seim River, complicating the evacuation of civilians.
"I am currently in touch with the local administration. The operational headquarters is also continuing its work, and relevant decisions will be published as a result," he said on Telegram.
Kyiv's incursion into Russia's Kursk region began on the night of Aug. 5-6 when Ukrainian forces entered near Sudzha. On Aug. 12, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the operation but did not elaborate on its objectives.
The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations reported that around 9,500 people had been evacuated from the combat zone.
Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the incursion as a "terrorist attack."
Independent verification of claims from both sides remains difficult due to the ongoing conflict.