Two weeks ago, Ukraine invaded Russia. The Ukrainians themselves claim that they have taken control of well over 1,000 square kilometers of Russian territory and almost 100 villages and settlements. This has not been verified by independent sources. On Wednesday morning, there were reports that one person was killed and two more injured in a Ukrainian drone attack in Kursk, Acting Governor Aleksey Smirnov said, reports Reuters. Fighting in Malaya Loknya in Kursk near the border with Ukraine. The image is from a video shared by the Ukrainian Air Force on August 20. Photo: 95th Air Assault Brigade / Reuters It is happening after Russia was exposed to what they call the largest Ukrainian drone attack so far in the war on Wednesday night. 45 drones are said to have been sent from Ukraine bound for Moscow. All were shot down, according to the Russian military. None of the drone attacks have been confirmed by independent sources either. But Russian President Vladimir Putin has seen himself forced to act. Soldiers have been brought from the front in Ukraine, and fresh recruits have been mobilized. However, these are not the only measures that have been introduced. Met Chechen ally On Tuesday, Putin paid a surprise visit to the Russian republic of Chechnya in the North Caucasus. This is Putin’s first visit in 13 years. He was warmly welcomed by his close ally, the republic’s leader Ramzan Kadyrov. Russian President Vladimir Putin (far right) next to Chechnya’s leader Ramzan Kadyrov. Here they met two Chechen soldiers in Gudermes on Tuesday 20 August. Photo: VYACHESLAV PROKOFYEV / AFP – As long as we have men like you, we are totally invincible, Putin said when speaking to soldiers at a military academy. Before traveling to Chechnya, he also visited Beslan in North Ossetia. There he met the mothers of the children who were killed when Islamist terrorists attacked a school in 2004. Over 300 people, among them over 100 children, were killed in the attack. Russian authorities’ handling has been blamed for contributing to the high death toll. Putin also used this visit to emphasize the importance of fighting the same against the Ukrainian invasion forces: – In the same way that we fought against terrorists, today we must fight against those who commit crimes in the Kursk region and in the Donbas, Putin said. Russian President Vladimir Putin was on August 20 at a memorial monument to those killed in the attack on a school in Beslan in North Ossetia in 2004. Photo: Vyacheslav Prokofyev / Reuters The latter was a reference to the eastern region of Ukraine which is under Russian control control. – We must punish the criminals. There is no doubt about this, Putin stressed. But also in Kursk, the local authorities have felt compelled to act. – Peace and security One of the measures introduced in Kursk was announced on Tuesday by Acting Governor Aleksey Smirnov. – The operational headquarters has decided to introduce a ban on alcoholic beverages from 5 p.m. in the Kurtchatovsky district and the city of Kurtchatov, Smirnov wrote on Telegram. A Russian soldier fires at Ukrainian soldiers at a secret location in Kursk. The photo was taken by the Russian Ministry of Defense on Monday 19 August. Photo: AP The restriction will be introduced on Wednesday. It only applies to shops, not restaurants, he points out. – The goal is to ensure public tranquility and safety in connection with the anti-terrorist operation in the Kursk region, he writes further. This is not the first time that a restriction on alcohol has been introduced. Restrictions have already been introduced in a number of other districts of Kursk, as well as the city of Lgov. Interested in abroad? Listen to the foreign affairs editor’s new podcast: Published 21.08.2024, at 13.08
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Ukraine’s invasion of Kursk means that the sale of alcohol is limited – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
