Russia has evacuated more than 76,000 people from border areas in its western Kursk region since Ukraine launched the surprise offensive.
"More than 76,000 people have been temporarily moved to safe places," TASS reported, citing a statement by an official from the regional Ministry of Emergency Situations.
Russia's Counter-Terrorism Committee said Ukraine had made an "unprecedented attempt to destabilize the situation in a number of regions of our country." He called the incursion a "terrorist attack" and claimed that Kiev troops injured civilians and destroyed residential buildings.
Ukrainian leaders have remained tight-lipped about the operation, and the United States, Kiev's closest ally, has said it was not informed in advance of the plans.
Russia has deployed additional troops and equipment, including tanks, missile launchers and aviation units, to stop the advancing troops. | BGNES
