Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated from Russia’s Kursk region amid escalating fighting. The large-scale evacuation underscores the severity of the conflict and its impact on local communities.

On the border with Ukraine, Russia’s Kursk region has undergone massive evacuation of tens of thousands of people.

A week ago, Ukrainian soldiers broke through the frontier which led to them being compelled to abandon their homes.

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine more than two years ago, this was the most significant assault on Russian territory.

Temporary accommodation centers have been set up in the city to house individuals who are also receiving food and clothing.

Evacuee Mikhail expresses that there is a lack of light, connectivity and water. The absence of everything gives the impression as though all have vanished to another planet leaving you on your own. He also adds that the birds are no longer singing.

As helicopters and planes traversed the airspace above our yard, shells were launched causing chaos. With no other option, we abandoned all that we possessed.

A different individual affirms that their town had no trade or functioning shops, and lacked access to electricity.

On Tuesday, as Ukrainian troops were targeted by missiles, drones and airstrikes from Russian forces, residents of the border region remained in a state of fleeing.

A state of emergency at the federal level has been declared by Russian authorities in Kursk, Bryansk, and Belgorod regions.

According to reports, there are 400 evacuation centers in the country that have been prepared to provide temporary housing.