VORONEZH. June 1 (Interfax) - Vyacheslav Gladkov, governor of Russia's Belgorod region, has reported eight casualties from Ukrainian attacks on the Shebekino district.
"It's been a bad morning in the Belgorod region. The Shebekino district remains under attack by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Eight people have been wounded. No one has died," Gladkov said on Telegram on Thursday.
He earlier reported five casualties from attacks that occurred in the district.
Gladkov denied an alleged breakthrough on the border by Ukrainian forces.
"There is no enemy [presence] in the Belgorod region and there has not been any. The Armed Forces, border guards, the Federal Security Service and the Russian National Guard are on the scene. However, a heavy shelling is ongoing," Gladkov said.
An evacuation is continuing at the moment, he also said.
"Of course, the lives of civilians and the population are in danger. This is the case in Shebekino and nearby villages above all. District and city administrations are evacuating people. Clearly, this cannot be done when they're being fired upon. We have to wait for the attacks to stop, the explosions to cease, and the risk of being killed or wounded by Ukrainian shells to disappear," Gladkov said.
He gave assurances that the authorities would provide urgent evacuation if required.
"If there is the need for an urgent evacuation, we will bring protected vehicles to your homes. We do not disclose [where] meeting points [are], as they could become a target for the people who are currently firing at civilians and children. We will continue the evacuation as soon as the shooting subsides. All temporary accommodation is ready," Gladkov said.