Residents displaced by fighting in the Kursk region of Ukraine are speaking out against government failures to ensure their safety and provide promised compensation for destroyed property. In a collective letter addressed to President Vladimir Putin, residents of the village of Olgovka have called for an end to the war, describing their situation as living in hell. Other border towns and villages in the Kursk region have also made similar appeals to Putin, referring to the conflict as “cursed.”
An elderly man reading out the letter from Olgovka residents in a video posted online highlighted the devastation caused by the ongoing clashes, likening it to scenes from a horror film. He expressed the desire for children to live in peace and not have to constantly hear air raid sirens. Displaced residents from the region have uploaded nearly 40 video addresses to Putin since early November, demanding action and assistance from the government to repair their homes and provide suitable temporary accommodation.
Displaced residents from the Sudzhansky and the Bolshesoldatsky districts staged protests in the regional capital of Kursk, accusing local authorities of failing to compensate them for destroyed property and provide adequate support. The governor of Kursk region, Alexei Smirnov, responded by firing two district heads, although authorities accused the displaced residents of holding unauthorized rallies. Over 150,000 people living in towns and villages near the border with Ukraine have been forced to evacuate their homes since Kyiv launched a surprise incursion on Aug. 6.
The evacuations and fighting in the Kursk region are unprecedented in modern Russia, drawing historical comparisons to World War II when Nazi Germany invaded the Soviet Union. Russian authorities have invoked these parallels to justify their current war against Ukraine. Displaced residents of Olgovka and other villages have expressed frustration at the lack of assistance from authorities and the slow pace of reconstruction efforts. They continue to call on Putin to end the war and provide support for those affected by the conflict.
The situation in the Kursk region highlights the human toll of the ongoing conflict between Ukrainian and Russian forces, with residents left homeless and living in fear. The collective pleas from displaced individuals reflect a growing frustration with government inaction and failure to address their needs. As the conflict continues, residents are forced to endure the hardships of war without the necessary support and assistance from authorities.
The appeals to Putin from displaced residents underscore the urgent need for action to address the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the Kursk region. The lack of compensation, inadequate housing, and slow progress in rebuilding efforts have left many feeling abandoned and desperate for help. As the conflict persists, it is essential for the government to prioritize the well-being of those affected by the violence and work towards a peaceful resolution to end the suffering of innocent civilians caught in the crossfire.
