Ukrainian officials have announced plans to establish a buffer zone inside Russia to safeguard communities in northern Ukraine from ongoing attacks. Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko revealed that over 2,000 strikes were launched by Russian forces on the Sumy region during the summer, utilizing various weapons including missiles, artillery, UAVs, attack drones, and mortars. As a result, more than 20,000 individuals have been evacuated from the area, which shares a border with Russian territory.
Klymenko emphasized the necessity of creating a buffer zone in the Kursk region to shield border communities from relentless enemy assaults. He highlighted the plight of Russian civilians in parts of the Kursk region now under Ukrainian military control, stating that they had been abandoned by Russia without essential supplies. The Ukrainian military is collaborating with the Interior Ministry to address the urgent needs of locals for drinking water, food, medicines, and hygiene kits, with plans to provide humanitarian aid promptly.
Volodymyr Artiukh, the head of Sumy regional military administration, reported a surge in the enemy's use of aviation in recent days, particularly the deployment of guided aerial bombs known for their destructive capabilities. He noted that 40 to 60 guided bombs were being dropped on settlements and communities, resulting in significant destruction and civilian casualties. The Russian defense ministry had previously acknowledged targeting Ukrainian reserves in Sumy.
Artiukh disclosed that authorities had implemented an exclusion zone extending 20 kilometers from the border to protect civilians from harm. He stressed the importance of adhering to this safety measure to prevent endangering the local population, citing instances where citizens had returned after evacuation.
