-21d0b63c17f6020e4df75f6c6f9a2f4f.jpg "Ivan Khomenko")
On Sunday, November 10, 2024, a group of displaced individuals from the Russian border town of Sudzha staged an unsanctioned protest in the city of Kursk, demanding a meeting with local officials. The demonstration, held in the central square of Kursk, was organized by people who had fled the war zone in the wake of military actions.
According to Radio Svoboda, approximately 100 people gathered to express their concerns about the ongoing situation in the Kursk region. The displaced residents of Sudzha called for the regional government to officially recognize the war in Kursk and take steps to evacuate other Russians from areas affected by the war.
Kursk authorities responded swiftly. Anatoly Drogan, head of the department for interaction with local governments, came to address the protesters. He informed them that their action was illegal due to the lack of proper authorization for public demonstrations. Drogan urged the group to disperse and suggested they submit a formal petition instead.
One of the protesters responded, emphasizing that their living conditions were already dire, stating, “We don’t care where we freeze, whether it’s in the street or somewhere else—we’re already not at home.”
Further discussions with authorities continued when another local official promised to arrange a meeting between the displaced residents and the head of the Sudzhansky district. A second meeting was also scheduled for Tuesday with the region’s governor, Alexei Smirnov.
According to reports, the Russian military has since been reinforcing its presence in the Kursk region in preparation for potential Ukrainian advances. It is now reportedly planning to deploy North Korean troops as part of its defense strategy, with sources estimating that Russia has gathered a force of 50,000 troops in the area, including personnel from North Korea.
