Ukrainian shelling forces restricted access to 14 russian villages
Due to Ukrainian shelling, access to 14 villages in the Belgorod region of southwestern Russia, near the border with Ukraine, will be restricted starting from July 23, announced regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov on Telegram on Tuesday.
3:32 PM EDT, July 16, 2024
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 tough," Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov of the Belgorod region wrote on Telegram. He emphasized the necessity of " taking maximum security measures."
He stated that Ukrainian shelling was the reason for this decision.
The governor explained that from July 23, only adult men in armored vehicles, carrying weapons and wearing bulletproof vests and helmets, will be allowed into these 14 localities.
Women and children will not be allowed entry, and public transportation will also be banned.
He noted that some residents of the 14 villages could move to temporary evacuation shelters, but admitted there would not be enough space for everyone. He also assured that families needing to find other places to live will receive financial assistance ranging from 10,000 to 15,000 rubles per month. Abandoned homes will be guarded by defense ministry personnel.
Reuters recalls Vladimir Putin's statement 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 suggests 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.
