Russia Already 133,000 refugees in the Russian region of Kursk
According to official figures, around 133,000 people have so far fled their homes due to the Ukrainian offensive in the Russian region of Kursk.
22.08.2024, 16:22
SDA
This was stated by the acting governor of the region, Alexei Smirnov, during a video conference with President Vladimir Putin. Almost 20,000 people were still in the eight districts for which an evacuation had been ordered, the state news agency Tass quoted Smirnov as saying.
Putin and the Russian government once again dealt with the consequences of the Ukrainian advance, which began just over two weeks ago. For the first time in almost two and a half years of the Russian war of aggression, Ukraine is conducting ground fighting on the territory of its opponent and, according to its own information, controls more than 1,000 square kilometers of territory.
Schools to start distance learning after vacations
"I ask you to pay particular attention to preparations for the new school year," the Kremlin chief ordered. Education Minister Sergei Kravtsov said that pupils from 114 schools in the border area would be taught online from September 2. Others would be taught at the place of their evacuation or in children's holiday homes.
After the Ukrainian advance on August 6, Putin ordered his security forces to expel the Ukrainians from Russia. However, Russian resistance has been slow in coming. At a meeting with members of the government and the heads of the border regions last week, Putin vented his anger at the hesitant actions of civilian authorities.
How quickly will Russia strike back at the Ukrainians?
The plans for the schools from September onwards can be seen as proof that the Russian leadership does not expect a quick success against the Ukrainian troops. The Russian exile medium Meduza reported, citing sources close to the Kremlin, that Moscow is less concerned with a quick reconquest. After the initial shock, it was important to get the Russian population used to what officials called a "new normality" - the presence of attacking foreign troops, who would inevitably be driven out again.
