(Reuters) – Russia’s southern region of Belgorod is restricting entry from Tuesday to 14 areas on the border with Ukraine that are subject to heavy attack from Kyiv’s forces, measures that appeared to be part of a Kremlin strategy to set up a border buffer zone.
Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said the restrictions applied to the localities “where the pertaining operational situation is extremely difficult,” according to the Interfax news agency.
The move follows on from the Kremlin’s order to protect Russian territory from Ukrainian attacks and secure areas and facilities so they are beyond the range of Ukrainian fire.
Under the restrictions, outlined by Gladkov last week in a video posted on the Telegram messaging app, checkpoints are to be set up outside the localities, public transport is barred and anyone wishing to visit must advise local authorities in advance.
“Entry will be permitted only for male adults with strict rules: in armoured vehicles with military electronic equipment and in bullet-proof apparel and helmets, accompanied by servicemen or local officials,” Gladkov said.
Gladkov did not explicitly say civilians were being evacuated, but said it was “unacceptable” to allow women and children in the restricted areas and all property would be kept under strict guard.
Ukraine has subjected Russia’s southern border regions to daily shelling and drone attacks, particularly settlements on or near the border in Belgorod region.
Russian forces launched a cross-border incursion in May into areas of Ukraine’s Kharkiv region across from Belgorod region and the military had taken control of several towns and villages.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said in recent weeks that Kyiv’s forces had stabilised border areas.
(Reporting by Ron Popeski and Olexander Kozhukhar; Editing by Matthew Lewis)
