Its anti-aircraft defense systems of Russia destroyed 11 drones launched by the Ukraine during the night against targets in the Kursk, Varonez, Belgorod and Rastov regions, the state news agency RIA reported, citing the Ministry of Defense.

The Ukrainians continued to specifically target the Kursk region, where four attack drones were destroyed, according to the ministry. Yesterday, Tuesday, Moscow accused Kiev of an attempted invasion of this region using, among other things, armored vehicles.

The ministry said yesterday that it had sent reserves to help push back hundreds of Ukrainian soldiers with tanks. The invasion looks set to be one of the biggest Ukrainian ventures of its kind since the outbreak of war nearly two and a half years ago.

The situation is “controllable”, assured Alexei Smirnov, acting governor of Kursk (southwest), via Telegram.

Emergency services have been put on “alert”, it said today, urging people to donate blood as stocks needed to be replenished.

More than ten air raid alerts have been issued in the region in the past 24 hours, Mr. Smirnov’s posts on the platform show. This morning, however, there is no information that the land battles are continuing.

Five people have been killed, including two ambulance crew members who were targeted by a drone, and at least 20 others have been injured, including six children, in hostilities since yesterday, according to Russian officials.

Ukraine has not officially commented, although there are indications that its armed forces have operated in the area.

There is a nuclear power plant in Kursk, which according to Mr. Smirnov is operating without any problems.

The attention of the Ukrainian armed forces lately, however, is focused more on pushing back the Russian troops in its eastern and northeastern parts. Moscow’s armed forces, which have made territorial gains over the past roughly six months, hold about 20 percent of Ukrainian territory.