The Kremlin sent reinforcements to the Kursk region in response to ongoing battles with Ukrainian troops, resulting in about 1,600 Ukrainian casualties. Ukrainian troops have been seen inside Russia, raising their flag in settlements and removing Russian flags. Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated from border communities in Kursk due to the conflict, and more evacuations have been announced in the Belovsky district. Russian officials have warned of potential attacks on other border regions and accused each other of endangering a nuclear plant in Ukraine after a major fire broke out. Footage released by Ukraine shows smoke coming from the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, with Ukrainian forces blaming Russian forces for starting the fire, while Moscow blames it on Ukraine. Both sides claim that radiation levels at the plant remain normal. The International Atomic Energy Agency has confirmed multiple explosions and strong dark smoke at the plant but stated that there is no impact on nuclear safety. Putin has warned of further destabilization in Russian border regions and accused Kyiv of trying to escalate the situation. The conflict in the Kursk region is seen as a major blow to Putin’s internal standing, with the influential military bloggers suggesting that fighting inside Russia could continue, affecting neighboring regions.
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