In response to ongoing shelling near the border with Ukraine, Russian authorities have announced plans to evacuate approximately 9,000 children from the Belgorod region. The decision comes after an unsuccessful incursion by three militia groups made up of Russian defectors serving with the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

The regional governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov, stated that a large number of villages, including Belgorod, Belgorod district, Shebekinsky district, and Grayvoronsky district, would be resettled to ensure the safety of the local population. The shelling, which resulted in injuries and damages, has caused significant concern among residents.

The groups responsible for the cross-border raid, namely the Freedom of Russia Legion, the Siberian Battalion, and the Russian Volunteer Corps (RDK), continue to assert their presence in Russian territory. Recently, they claimed to have captured the village of Kozinka and raised their flags in the area.

Governor Gladkov reported that the village of Razumnoye in the Belgorod region was hit by shelling, leaving three people injured. A 14-year-old teenager suffered a partial amputation of the upper limb and shrapnel wounds to the chest and lower limb, while his mother sustained shrapnel wounds to the neck, abdominal cavity, and lower extremities. Both victims are currently in serious condition. Another woman was also injured, sustaining shrapnel wounds to her upper and lower extremities.

The shelling resulted in significant damage to private residential buildings and apartment complexes, with windows shattered in a school and kindergarten buildings. Consequently, the governor urged residents to prioritize their safety and seek secure shelter.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin publicly addressed the incursion, declaring it a failure. He stated that attempts by the militia groups to enter Russian territory were met with gunfire, resulting in heavy losses, including armored vehicles and artillery. Putin emphasized that their initial plan involved staging a terrorist raid on cities and towns in the Belgorod and Kursk regions.

The three militia groups have persistently called on residents of Belgorod and Kursk to evacuate, citing the risk of rocket and artillery fire. They claimed that the shelling from the Belgorod region has resulted in the loss of innocent lives, primarily women and children.

As tensions escalate and the threat of further shelling persists, the evacuation of thousands of children aims to prioritize their safety. Local authorities are working to ensure that appropriate measures are taken to protect the affected communities. The situation near the Ukraine-Russia border remains volatile, and efforts are underway to address the ongoing conflict.