At least 130,000 residents have been evacuated from areas affected by the Ukrainian army’s operation in the Kursk region. Russian refugees who criticize the army’s lack of preparation and must now rely on solidarity.
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The Ukrainian army’s operation on Russian territory is entering its third week. It has penetrated the Kursk region for about thirty kilometers while the Russians claim to have repelled several attempted attacks. The authorities have started digging trenches around the Kurchatov nuclear power plant, west of Kursk. At least 130,000 residents have been evacuated from the areas affected by the fighting. Refugees, some of whom criticize the unpreparedness of their army and the lack of support from their authorities.
There is a lot of anger among residents who were evacuated in a hurry from the areas invaded by the Ukrainian army. Some even leave videos on social networks to say everything they think about the attitude of the local authorities. Like this resident of Soudja. “What they say on TV is not true, it’s just lies, she denounces. The administration, the police, the firefighters, everyone fled. No one was warned.”
Maria also does not believe the television that keeps saying that the situation is under control. Having taken refuge in Kursk, leaving everything behind, she tries to find out what has become of her house. “We don’t learn anything from our media, we only watch Ukrainians’ YouTube channels. Without their TikTok or YouTube channels, we probably wouldn’t know anything at all.”
These refugees received 10,000 rubles from the government, or about 100 euros, and must make do with it. As is often the case, Russians can only count on the solidarity of the population. In Kursk, residents help each other, collections are full, but the situation could continue, according to some military experts who are nevertheless considered pro-Kremlin.
