Russia Restricts Access to 14 Border Locations with Ukraine in Belgorod Starting Today

Illustration of the Russian border with Ukraine. (Wikimedia Commons/Serge Bystro)

JAKARTA - Authorities in Belgorod in southern Russia have restricted entry to 14 border locations with Ukraine that have been targeted by Kyiv's forces starting Tuesday, a move that is believed to be part of the Kremlin's strategy to establish a border buffer zone.

Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said the restrictions apply to areas "where the operational situation is extremely difficult," Reuters reported from Interfax on July 23.

The move follows the Kremlin's order to protect Russian territory from Ukrainian attacks and secure areas and facilities so that they are out of reach of Ukrainian fire.

Under the restrictions, outlined by Gladkov last week in a video posted on the Telegram messaging app, checkpoints will be set up outside the areas. Public transportation is banned and anyone wishing to visit must notify local authorities in advance.

"Only adult men will be allowed to enter under strict rules: using armored vehicles with military electronic equipment and wearing bulletproof clothing and helmets, accompanied by soldiers or local officials," Gladkov said.

Gladkov did not explicitly say civilians were being evacuated, but said it was "unacceptable" to allow women and children into restricted areas and that all property would be guarded.

Ukraine has targeted Russia's southern border with daily shelling and drone strikes, particularly settlements on or near the border in the Belgorod region.

Russian forces launched a cross-border incursion in May into Ukraine's Kharkiv region across the Belgorod region and the military has taken control of several towns and villages.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that in recent weeks Kyiv forces had stabilized the border area.