Russia is evacuating residents from a second border region, as Ukraine continues its surprise week-long offensive inside the country.
Some 11,000 people in the Belgorod region have been moved, Russian state media reported, because of “enemy action” near the border.
Belgorod lies next to Kursk – where Ukrainian troops launched their surprise attack into Russian territory last Tuesday.
Russian President Vladimir Putin says the defence ministry’s “main task is to push, to kick the enemy out of our territory” .
Ukrainian forces have since advanced up to 18 miles (30km) inside Russia – the deepest incursion into the country since Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Reports from Putin’s meeting with officials on the situation in Russia’s regions bordering Ukraine.
He tells them: “Losses have been mounting dramatically for the armed forces of Ukraine, particularly among the most capable units which the enemy has been sending to our border.
“The enemy will undoubtedly receive a worthy response, and there is no doubt that we will reach all our objectives.”
