The governor of Russia's Belgorod region declared a state of emergency on Wednesday in reaction to heavy shelling by Ukrainian military. Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov described the situation as "extremely difficult and tense," with significant damage to homes and civilian casualties. We will pursue a federal extension and issue a regional declaration of emergency.

According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian soldiers have apparently taken control of 74 communities in the nearby Kursk region. He stressed that Russian servicemen will be treated humanely in the event of their surrender. Russia has been taken aback by Ukraine's cross-border operation in Kursk, which started a week ago and has seen Ukrainian forces advance 1-3 kilometers in the past day.

Russia's Major General Apti Alaudinov declared that Ukrainian soldiers had been stopped despite their advances. Keeping a careful eye on the situation, US President Joe Biden said that the Ukrainian offensive is putting Russian President Vladimir Putin in a "real dilemma" and taking Russia by surprise.