Russia faced a major cross-border incursion from Ukraine for a second day on Wednesday, the most serious attack on Russian soil by Ukrainian forces in months that prompted both countries to evacuate several thousands of civilians.
A state of emergency was declared in Russia's Kursk region on Wednesday evening, 36 hours after Ukrainian soldiers, tanks and armored vehicles invaded the western border region.
Russia said it had launched air and artillery forces to repelled the attack on Wednesday after bringing reinforcements to the region in an attempt to stop the Ukrainian origins.
After two days of fighting, both the extent of the damage and the depth of the Ukrainian advance into Russian territory were unclear — although several reports from both Ukrainian and Russian military bloggers suggested the fighters had gained several kilometers.
President Vladimir Putin said Ukraine had attacked buildings while Russia's top general vowed to crush the invasion.
"The Kiev regime has taken on another large-scale challenge," Putin said in a televised meeting with government officials.
«Fires indiscriminately with various types of weapons, including rockets, at buildings residences and ambulances,'' he added.
Kursk Governor Alexei Smirnov ordered a state of emergency in the region on Wednesday evening, a move that gives authorities additional powers to bring the situation under control.
At least five civilians have been killed and 31 wounded since the invasion began, Russian health officials said Wednesday.
Senior Ukrainian officials have not commented.
Source: KYPE -GPE
