As large-scale cross-border attacks by Ukrainian forces continue, Russia announced on the 10th that it had evacuated more than 76,000 residents from border areas and launched an “anti-terrorist operation.” Ukrainian military forces entered Russia’s western Kursk region on the morning of the 6th, launching the largest and most successful cross-border offensive since the start of Russia’s invasion. The Ukrainians advanced several kilometers, while the Russians quickly deployed reserve forces and additional equipment. Neither side has given details about troop strength. “More than 76,000 people have been temporarily evacuated to safer locations,” Russia’s state news agency TASS reported, citing a local government official close to the fighting at a press conference on the 10th. Emergency aid is being delivered to border areas and extra trains are being run to the capital, Moscow, for evacuees. Meanwhile, air raid sirens sounded in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, on the night of the 10th. An AFP journalist saw at least two flashes of light, and the Ukrainian Air Force said there were drone attacks in five regions outside Kyiv. The Ukrainian government has remained silent about the cross-border attacks, but President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a speech on the evening of the 10th that he had received a report from General Oleksandr Syrsky that “the front line is being pushed back into the territory of the aggressors.” Meanwhile, Russian state nuclear power company Rosatom warned on the 10th of a “direct threat” to the Kursk nuclear power plant, which is less than 50 km from the fighting zone. The Defense Ministry of Russia’s ally Belarus said on the same day that it had ordered an increase in ground troops, air forces, air defense systems and rocket systems near the border with Russia in response to a Ukrainian invasion. Related threads Ukrainian troops crossing the Russian border, seizing 3 villages, new recruits taken prisoner, Kursk Oblast, western Russia ★2 [Goma Kanpachi★] State of emergency declared in western Russia, Ukrainian troops in cross-border attack seize major gas facility, only point for transporting Russian gas to the EU [Goma Kanpachi★] Ukrainian troops may have occupied 11 “positions” in Russian territory, unable to respond to “unexpected” attack [Goma Kanpachi★] “We have no cannons, no tanks, no equipment. “Was no one prepared?” Ukrainian ground forces launch first large-scale invasion of Russia, why aren’t Russian troops coming? ★3 [Goma Kanpachi★] Ukraine continues border march with large-scale drone attack on military airfield in western Russia, destroying stored guided bombs [Goma Kanpachi★] Ukrainian army continues unprecedented attack on Russian territory, expanding combat area by at least 430 square kilometers, invasion from thinly controlled area [Goma Kanpachi★] Power outage near Kursk nuclear power plant, Ukrainian army drone falls on substation in western Russia [Goma Kanpachi★] Russia continues cross-border attacks by Ukraine, criticism of Putin regime grows, US and EU support Ukraine, approval of weapons use in Russian territory [Goma Kanpachi★] Ukrainian soldiers post video of “taking control” of Russian city, spread on SNS, possibility of expanding occupied territory ★2 [Goma Kanpachi★] 5 brigades participate in Ukrainian army’s “counter-invasion” in northern part of country, total force reaches up to 10,000 Russian reinforcements defeated and thwarted with HIMARS ★2 [Goma Kanpachi★] Ukrainian surprise attack shocks Russia; 5th day of cross-border attack, tensions continue; Ukrainian forces are believed to have seized up to 20 settlements ★2 [Goma Kanpachi★] Ukrainian forces’ cross-border attack expands to Belgorod Oblast in western Russia; Governor indirectly acknowledges Ukrainian forces’ claim to have seized part of Belgorod Oblast [Goma Kanpachi★].
Ukraine could seize the Kursk nuclear power plant and use it to threaten Russia with a meltdown at the Kursk nuclear power plant if they launch a nuclear attack on Ukraine.
>>In response, the Russian military quickly deployed reserve forces and additional equipment. They still had reserve forces? What’s the additional equipment? Even tanks from the war have already appeared.
If Belarus were to join the war and Western troops invaded Belarus, would Putin be able to use nuclear weapons? Probably not, so Belarus would just be occupied by the West.
>>31 Right after the war started, they amended the constitution and armed themselves with nuclear weapons. They’ve already deployed them, so if Belarus is invaded, they’ll respond immediately. I thought it was up to Lukashenko to decide whether to use them or not.
>>39 I’m surprised. Almost all of their military forces have already been deployed to Ukraine. It’s obvious from the Prikozhin Rebellion that there are no garrisons in Moscow. The US military could enter Moscow in a week.
>>47 They were probably taking a gamble before they ran out of combat personnel and got into a tight spot. They knew that if they only defended, they’d just be getting beaten up for years to come.
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