Russia forced into lockdown after Ukraine onslaught leaves Putin's army plans in tatters
Belgorod region has come under increasing aerial bombardment from Ukrainian drones and artillery shelling in the wake of the Russian offensive.
Russia has been forced to lockdown more than a dozen villages near its border with Ukraine in a devastating blow to Vladimir Putin, after the failure of its Kharkiv offensive.
In May, Putin's army launched a surprise attack in Ukraine's northeastern province, initially making rapid gains.
Russian units soon approached the outskirts of Vovochansk, a city just 45 miles from Kharkiv.
The Kremlin boss claimed the offensive was intended to create a buffer zone to protect the Belgorod region in Russia's borderlands with Ukraine.
However, Zelesnky's forces launched a devastating counterattack that succeeded in pushing back the Russians and regaining territory.
Moreover, the Belgorod region has come under increasing aerial bombardment from Ukrainian drones and artillery shelling in the wake of the offensive.
The attacks have caused substantial destruction and frequent fatalities, as well as sowing panic and fear among local inhabitants.
The intensity and ferocity of Ukrainian attacks have forced regional authorities to introduce emergency measures.
Vyacheslav Gladkov, the region's governor, has now announced a lockdown that will come into force next week.
He said: “From July 23, we are restricting access to 14 residential settlements where the operational situation is extremely difficult."
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During a press conference on Tuesday, Ukraine's President Zelensky said Russia's Kharkiv offensive had "failed".
He said: "In the Kharkiv region, humans or non-humans of Russia have been stopped. Their offensive has failed. All experts acknowledge that Russia's offensive on Kharkiv has failed.
"I would say that it was stopped by our soldiers and appropriate weapons. Anyway, let's highly appreciate the service of our guys."
His remarks come amid claims a key Ukrainian village in the Donbas had fallen to Putin's army.
Russia's Ministry of Defence said on Sunday its forces had taken control of the village of Urozhaine.
Ukrainian bloggers also said that Kyiv's forces had relinquished control of the village, southwest of the Russian-held city of Donetsk.
