Thu Sep 26 12:14:58 UTC 2024: ## Ukrainian Soldiers Report “Coexistence” with Russian Civilians in Occupied Kursk Region
**Kursk, Russia -** Ukrainian soldiers have reported a “coexistence” with the remaining Russian civilians in the Kursk region, which Ukrainian forces have occupied since a surprise offensive in early September. The soldiers, who describe the situation as a “humiliation” for President Vladimir Putin, claim to be distributing food, water, and medicine to the elderly and isolated residents who have been left without electricity, phone service, and access to shops or pharmacies.
According to Ukrainian officials, “several thousand” Russians remain in the occupied area, primarily elderly individuals who were unable or unwilling to flee during the incursion. While the soldiers acknowledge initial fear and distrust from civilians who had been fed a narrative of Ukrainian “monsters” by Russian state media, they claim residents now approach Ukrainian military vehicles seeking aid.
The soldiers stress that they have not encountered resistance from the local population, but acknowledge potential for misinterpretation of their intentions. They also describe a constant barrage of Russian shelling, which has resulted in the deaths of at least 23 civilians since August.
While the Ukrainian military has invited international observers to visit the region, Russia has condemned the move as a “provocation.” The Kremlin has largely downplayed the incursion, attributing it to a “crisis situation” that will be “rectified in good time.” However, Russian authorities have yet to provide any information about the number of civilians remaining in the occupied area.
Civilians who have fled to other parts of Russia describe widespread destruction and inability to contact family members left behind. They express concerns for their remaining possessions and livestock.
The Ukrainian military administration in Kursk is now engaged in a counter-propaganda campaign, aiming to educate Russian civilians about the alleged atrocities committed by the Russian army in Ukraine. This includes showing residents a special Russian-language news bulletin and a documentary about the Bucha massacre.
While the situation remains precarious for the remaining civilians in the Kursk region, Ukrainian officials emphasize that they view the locals as “peaceful people who aren’t prone to conflict” and “have found themselves in this ambiguous situation through no fault of their own.”
First Piper 