The announcement was made by Emergency Situations Minister Aleksandr Kurenkov during an extraordinary meeting of the Russian government's Commission on Preventing and Eliminating Emergency Situations.
The federal emergency comes a day after Belgorod Oblast Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov declared a state of emergency at the regional level, citing an "extremely difficult" situation. Governor Gladkov noted that the situation had escalated to the point where regional authorities could no longer manage the crisis independently, prompting the request for federal intervention.
Belgorod Oblast, which lies between Kursk Oblast to the northwest and Ukraine's Kharkiv Oblast to the south, shares a western border with Ukraine's Sumy Oblast. Ukrainian forces reportedly entered Kursk Oblast from Sumy Oblast on August 6, and by August 13, Ukrainian military officials claimed control over 74 settlements in the region.
The incursion has significantly impacted Belgorod Oblast, with multiple settlements on the border with Kharkiv Oblast reportedly coming under attack by Ukrainian drones and munitions. In response, Governor Gladkov announced on August 13 that approximately 11,000 residents of the Krasnoyaruzhsky district, which borders both Kursk and Kharkiv oblasts, had evacuated their homes. The district, home to around 14,000 residents according to a 2020 census, has been one of the hardest-hit areas.
In his announcement, Minister Kurenkov emphasized that the scale of the ongoing conflict necessitates federal involvement to manage the emergency effectively. "The scale of what is happening does not allow the region to independently eliminate the consequences of the current emergency situation," he stated.
Authorities in Belgorod Oblast have initiated comprehensive assistance efforts for the affected population. However, concerns over economic stability have emerged, with reports of "unjustified price increases for food and essential goods" circulating in the region. In response, Kurenkov has instructed the Federal Antimonopoly Service to monitor and control the situation to prevent further exploitation of the crisis.
Belgorod Oblast has been a key staging ground for Russian military operations against Ukraine, with regular attacks on Ukraine's Kharkiv Oblast launched from the region. The ongoing conflict has led to significant civilian displacement and damage, further exacerbating the humanitarian situation on both sides of the border.
The federal emergency declaration underscores the growing severity of the conflict as Ukrainian forces continue their advance, challenging Russian control in border regions and prompting heightened governmental responses. (ILKHA)
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