Tensions rise in Belgorod as access to villages restricted

Due to Ukrainian shelling, access to 14 villages in the Belgorod region in southwestern Russia, near the border with Ukraine, will be restricted starting from July 23, announced the regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov on Telegram on Tuesday at 3:00 PM Eastern Time.

Many of the reports provided by Russian media or government representatives are part of propaganda. Such reports are part of the information warfare conducted by the Russian Federation.

"We intend to restrict access to 14 locations where the operational situation is exceptionally difficult," wrote the governor of the Belgorod region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, on Telegram. He emphasized the need to "take maximum security measures."

He stated that the reason for this decision is Ukrainian shelling.

The governor explained that from July 23 only adult men in armoured vehicles, carrying weapons, as well as wearing bulletproof vests and helmets, will be allowed into the 14 localities.

Women and children will not be allowed entry, and public transportation will also be banned.

The governor noted that some residents of the 14 villages could move to temporary evacuation shelters, but he admitted that there would not be enough space for everyone. He also assured that families who need to find other places to live will receive financial assistance ranging from 200 to 300 CAD per month. Abandoned homes will be guarded by defence ministry personnel.

Reuters recalls Vladimir Putin's words in May, when he announced the intention to create a buffer zone in northeastern Ukraine to protect Russia from Ukrainian retaliatory attacks. According to the agency, Tuesday's decision by Gladkov signals that the security situation in the region may have worsened for the Russians, prompting local authorities to make greater efforts to protect the civilian population.