Ukraine-Russia war latest: Putin vows revenge for Kursk attack as Moscow evacuates thousands more from border

Vladimir Putin has vowed to “kick the enemy out” after Ukraine launched a surprise cross-border assault into the Kursk region, as thousands more civilians from the neighbouring Belgorod area were evacuated.

During comments at an impromptu meeting with his officials, Putin vowed to issue a “worthy response” against Ukraine amid fears that he could launch vicious attacks against the country’s civilian-populated areas.

“The enemy will undoubtedly receive a worthy response,” he said, “and there is no doubt that we will reach our objectives.”

The governor of Russia ’s Kursk region added at the meeting that Ukraine controls more than two dozen settlements in the area just six days after launching the attack.

Meanwhile, the governor of neighbouring Belgorod Oblast Vyacheslav Gladkov said evacuations had begun from the Krasnaya Yaruga District of the region due to “enemy activity on the border”.

Russia’s Tass state news agency said 11,000 people had been evacuated from that region alone, while more than 76,000 have already been moved from Kursk.

Ukrainian forces have taken up to 95 square miles of land in just six days, according to analysts, and appear to be continuing to push forwards.