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A devastating Russian missile strike on a university and hospital in Poltava has left 50 dead and over 200 injured. Meanwhile, Ukraine's Parliament has approved the creation of a new military branch dedicated to unmanned technologies, signaling a shift in warfare strategy.

Russia’s Kursk authorities form armed volunteer group for security in evacuated areas, amid ongoing looting

russia's kursk authorities form armed volunteer group security evacuated areas amid ongoing looting russian military pillaging shop glushkovo oblast russia telegram/tipichny kadyrovites

Authorities in Russia’s Kursk Oblast have announced the creation of an armed volunteer group called “Bars – Kursk” to maintain order in the region, as reported by RFE/RL’s Current Time on 29 August.  Acting Governor Aleksei Smirnov stated that the primary function of the group will be to ensure security in eight evacuated districts and other territories of Kursk Oblast.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces entered the Kursk Oblast on 6 August 2024, by the end of the month expanding control to over 1,200 square kilometers and 100 settlements. Russia organized the evacuation of civilians from frontline areas. Multiple looting incidents are reportedly occurring in partially abandoned settlements, with remaining locals and Russian military personnel pillaging shops and empty residences.

In the wake of the Ukrainian advance, incidents of looting have been reported. Video footage emerged showing individuals in Russian uniforms looting a Wildberries warehouse – “Russian Amazon” – in the village of Zvannoe, Glushkovsky district, Kursk Oblast.

Prior to this, three Russian military personnel robbed a mobile phone store in the town of Glushkovo, breaking windows and showcases and removing goods. It is known that at least one of the mobile phone store robbers was a fighter from a Chechen unit, Current Time says.

A number of videos on social media show pillaged shops in the Russian-controlled areas of Kursk Oblast.

The Kursk governor says the newly-established group will cooperate with military and security structures:

“Volunteers who sign a contract will undergo training and receive necessary weapons. The fighters will work in close cooperation with the army and the KTO (Counter-Terrorist Operation, – Ed.) headquarters, which will ensure effective coordination and protection of civilian infrastructure,” Smirnov wrote.

The “Bars – Kursk” volunteers will also participate in supporting the life of evacuated areas to assist remaining residents, according to Smirnov.

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