Russia escalates security measures in border regions amid conflict
Russian authorities have initiated a procedure known as the "anti-terrorist operation regime" in the Kursk, Belgorod, and Bryansk regions, which border Ukraine. This operation's purpose is to protect the safety of citizens and prevent terrorist attacks originating from Ukraine. The Reuters agency, which cites the TASS agency, provided this information.
Many of the reports provided by Russian state media or Kremlin officials are likely not true. Such reports may be part of an information war by the Russian Federation.
Special regulations have been in force in the mentioned areas since Friday, based on Article 11 of the Law of 6 March 2006, "On Counteracting Terrorism." Russian media underline that the introduced special measures allow for various actions, including, among others, forced relocation of the population, restriction of transportation in selected areas, increased protection of strategic facilities, and the use of phone tapping.
The decision to introduce the "anti-terrorist regime" was made by Alexander Bortnikov, Director of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation, who also heads the National Anti-Terrorism Committee (NAK).
Russian media stated that this action aims to "ensure citizens' safety and prevent terrorist attacks from the Kyiv regime, which has made an unprecedented attempt to destabilise the situation in many regions of the country".
Ukrainians entered Russia
On Tuesday, information was provided about the Ukrainian army's actions in the Kursk region of Russia. "The Washington Post," citing an anonymous advisor to the President of Ukraine, reported on Thursday that Ukrainian forces had taken control of a gas measurement station in Sudzha, a key point for transmitting Russian gas to southern Europe. Russian sources report that more than 30 kilometres (19 miles) deep into the Kursk region, about a thousand Ukrainian soldiers, supported by tanks, armoured vehicles, drones, and artillery, had infiltrated.
