Russian exodus: Kursk region clashes with reality of war

Leaving their home, they took one suitcase, ran through the forest, and swam across a river. "It's a shock for us," said Russians living in the Kursk region attacked by Ukraine, describing their escape from the war zone. The Ukrainian army reportedly made further progress in occupying Russian territory the following day.

A supporter of the war from Saint Petersburg became furious while watching reports of the evacuation of Kursk region inhabitants. He recorded a video in which he hurled the harshest curses at the fleeing men: "I would like to appeal to the male population of Kursk. Why did you confuse the region? Where are you going, dear ones? If all our people put it in reverse and leave the cities that will be attacked, what will happen? What are you doing? Can't you take up arms? Where are you going?" said the Russian. In the recording, he is wearing a military sweatshirt.

"Take shovels, dig trenches. Distribute food. Give your cars to the boys who are now giving their lives to reclaim Kursk. Stop!" he called on the men from around Kursk.

Initially, the recording circulated on the social media platform Telegram as an example of a Russian patriot's indignation. Later, the appeal of the recording's author was mocked. It turned out that the video features 39-year-old Cyril Suvorov, the director of a company involved in, among other things, the burial of those killed in the war with Ukraine. He himself does not fight on the front line but has a small business.

Russian refugees from the border areas of the Kursk region reached the regional capital. In recordings from a few days ago, they complained that despite official communications, the authorities did not secure evacuation for everyone. "People walked through the forest, swam across the river, and travelled by buses. It's a shock for us. Some with bags gave their clothes to those who left home as they stood," said an evacuation participant.

According to Russian data, 200,000 people have fled from the areas near the Ukrainian border.

"In the Glushkovo region, police officers, risking their own lives, help people evacuate. Knowing the terrain, they can quickly navigate and make the right decision. In recent days, the police have transported about 200 people using personal boats," reads a statement on the Kursk region administration's website.

"Thank God, we were saved! We are from the village of Korenewa. We took the child, passports, and left home. The shelling started, and we realized we needed to go to a safe place. We went into the forest. The child was carried in arms. Four-year-old Aniuta bore it calmly, without crying. Yevgeny, a local policeman, led us through safe paths, and we walked for almost four hours. Ania hugged the policeman. We are all grateful that these boys are police officers on duty," reads a thank-you note from a mother, published by the local police.

Where do these dramatic accounts come from? On Tuesday, the General Staff of Ukraine announced that soldiers had made further progress in occupying Russian territory the next day. According to reports from the Unian agency, the attackers are close to encircling a group of 3,000 Russian soldiers, who were cut off from supplies after three bridges across the Sejm River were destroyed.

"The Kursk operation is a personal and painful blow aimed directly at Vladimir Putin. His administration now has to pretend that nothing significant is happening, and the services respond in an organized manner. However, we see that Russia is surprised that it is forced to fight on its own territory," comments Prof. Krzysztof Żęgota from the Institute of Polish Political Sciences at the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn. He deals with security policy in Russia.

He referred to the issue of the video about the fleeing men. "When the military evacuates from areas threatened with capture, it is difficult to expect that civilians will take up the fight. There is no mood for it. Furthermore, near the Ukrainian border, many people remember the times of the USSR when the border was only nominal. Before 2022 and the start of the aggression, local residents maintained neighbourly relations. From current video reports, it is evident that they speak Russian but with Ukrainian influences," adds Prof. Żęgota.

When asked about the military situation, he responds: "It is clear that the Russians do not want to deplete the forces prepared for operations in the Donbas, where the Russian attack on Pokrovska and Toretsk is still ongoing. That is their priority, and they act there with vigour," assesses the WP interlocutor.

Ukrainian commentators are inclined to similar conclusions. "Vladimir Putin gave his commanders just over a month to expel the Ukrainian armed forces from the occupied territories of the Kursk region. He issued an order to liberate the Kursk region by October 1," reported the RBC-Ukraine agency on Tuesday, citing military-political sources.

The task is to be accomplished "without withdrawing forces from key areas where Russia is conducting an offensive in Donbas, primarily in the directions of Pokrovska and Toretsk," according to unofficial reports.

The Kursk operation began on August 6. After 13 days, the Ukrainian forces controlled about 480 square miles of Russian territory, including over 90 settlements. President Volodymyr Zelensky provided these figures.