Russian border regions under anti-terrorist operation amid Ukraine conflict

Russian authorities have initiated a procedure known as the "anti-terrorist operation regime" in the Kursk, Belgorod, and Bryansk regions, which border Ukraine. This operation is aimed at protecting the safety of citizens and preventing terrorist attacks originating from Ukraine. This information was provided by the Reuters agency, citing the TASS agency.

Many of the reports provided by Russian state media or Kremlin officials are likely not true. Such reports may be part of an information war by the Russian Federation.

Since Friday, special regulations have been in force in the mentioned areas, based on Article 11 of the Law of March 6, 2006, "On Counteracting Terrorism." Russian media emphasize that these special measures allow for various actions, including, among others, forced relocation of the population, restriction of transportation in selected areas, increased protection of strategic facilities, and the use of phone tapping.

The decision to introduce the "anti-terrorist regime" was made by Alexander Bortnikov, director of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation, who also heads the National Anti-Terrorism Committee (NAK).

In Russian media, it was stated that this action aims to "ensure citizens' safety and prevent terrorist attacks from the Kyiv regime, which has made an unprecedented attempt to destabilize the situation in many regions of the country."

On Tuesday, information was provided about the Ukrainian army's actions in the Kursk region of Russia. "The Washington Post," citing an anonymous advisor to the President of Ukraine, reported on Thursday that Ukrainian forces had taken control of a gas measurement station in Sudzha, a key point for transmitting Russian gas to southern Europe. Russian sources report that about 30 kilometres deep into the Kursk region, roughly a thousand Ukrainian soldiers, supported by tanks, armoured vehicles, drones, and artillery, had infiltrated.