Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, on Friday presented documents allocating 100 hectares of land to the Nigerian Navy for the establishment of a naval base and dockyard in the state.

Mr Abiodun presented the document to the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, when he paid a courtesy visit to the naval headquarters in Abuja.

He said the visit was to deepen collaboration between the Nigerian Navy and the state government, adding that Ogun had attained frontier status and was expecting the commencement of oil exploration.

According to him, Ogun will be declared an oil-producing state hence the need for a naval base and dockyard to protect the facilities.

He said, “Only about three or four months ago, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited came and declared that Ogun State had now qualified for frontier status. They declared as one of the states that they will begin to explore oil in frontier-based status and that is a status that is declared in areas where they believe that there are petroleum resources available from all locations.

“This is justified to them because we obtained a status that is probably about 60 years old from Shell, showing that Shell had drilled some wells around the other side of Tongaji Island about 60 years ago. But as soon as they found oil in Delta, they abandoned those wells and never came back.’’

The governor added that exploration of oil meant that the state had one of the most abundant deposits of bitumen, saying that Ogun would be declared an oil-producing state in no distant time.

He said that a team was sent to the state to take a look at the sites that would be suitable to have a naval base and a naval dockyard.

“Another reason why we thought this was important besides the frontier business status is the Natural Gas Project, the LNG project, which had been on the drawing board for several years. And because we were also fore thinking and seeing what happened in view of the Russian-Ukrainian war, where the whole world is beginning to experience a shortage of the supply of natural gas, we knew that in no distant future, this project will move back on stream.

“We are aware that one of the conditions for such a huge project that would cost tens of billions of dollars would be to have a naval presence because of the size of that presence. Today, I’m happy to confirm that the state has finally allocated 100 hectares of land to the Nigerian Navy to establish a naval base and dockyard,” he added.

Responding, the chief of naval staff said that the plans to establish a naval base and dockyard in Ogun State were to protect critical investments.

Mr Ogalla said that Ogun State being an industrial hub and strategic state required the presence of the Nigerian Navy to secure investments.

He assured that the navy high command would do what was necessary to ensure that the base came alive in the next few days.

He, however, urged the governor to provide the navy with the certificate of occupancy to enable the team to return to site and commence preparations.

According to him, Ogun State is strategic in the nation and it is strategic to the navy’s activities which cannot be effectively done except with the collaboration of key stakeholders like the state.

“We listen to the proposal the governor has towards developing the state and geared towards promoting economic activities. He proposed molecular LNG and molecular blue seaport and also the development of the ‘Tongeji’ Island. These are investments that will attract a number of U.S dollars of up to N10 billion into Nigerian economy.

“These investments can’t be without security. Our duty is to make sure we fulfil this aspect which is the provision of security. We will move without waiting to establish these facilities, we will make steps towards identifying suitable locations for the naval base, ’’he said.

The University of Benin, Edo State, has said that Senator Daisy Ehanire-Danjuma was the donor of the newly inaugurated girls’ hostel in the institution.

It added that she was undertaking the construction of a second hostel.

The university made the clarification in a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Dr Benedicta Ehanire, on Friday in Benin City.

“While Daisy’s husband, retired Gen. Theophilus Danjuma, donated a hostel in 2023, the one inaugurated a few days ago, was given by the wife,” the statement stated.

According to the statement, the first hostel was donated by the elder statesman, while the second – inaugurated a few days ago – came from Daisy, known for her passion for girl-child education.

“It is that passion for girl-child education that is motivating Daisy into these kind gestures,” the statement indicated.

It said that the university would remain eternally grateful to Mrs Daisy for the kindness and regretted the wrong report that claimed that the hostel was an additional one from Danjuma, her husband.

A man who was upset that he was not allowed to board a plane has reacted after he learned the plane crashed and all 62 people on board died.

Adriano Assis narrated how he finished his shift at a hospital and was running late to catch the 11:56 am flight at Cascavel Regional Airport in Cascavel, Paraná to São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport in São Paulo.

Assis said he got to the airport early, by 9:40am, but there was no agent at the counter to check him in so he waited upstairs and had coffee to pass the time.

He was hoping to hear an announcement on the microphone regarding check in for his flight, but there was none and no one said anything.

After a while, he came downstairs by 10:30am, there was a long queue and he waited.

When it clocked 10:41, an airport staff refused to let him check in because it was already an hour to boarding time.

He argued with the staff but they still won’t let him check in.

Sadly, Voepass Airlines flight 2283 crashed behind a condominium in Vinhedo, a city in the southeastern Brazilian state of São Paulo on Friday. All 58 passengers and four crew members on the aircraft were killed

While still at the airport, Adriano saw on the news that the plane had crashed and no one survived.

He later went back to hug the airport staff who refused to let him check in. He thanked the staff for doing his job. He added that the staff saved his life by refusing to let him check in.

Apart from Assis, 10 other passengers who were waiting by the wrong gate were also unable to board the flight and some of them are now speaking out to express gratitude.

Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, confirmed the crash while speaking during an event shortly after the crash.

“I have to be the bearer of really bad news,” the president said, stressing the fact of the crash and asking for a minute of silence for the victims.

Airline Voepass said the plane, which had taken off from Cascavel, in the state of Parana, and was bound for Sao Paulo’s main international airport, crashed in Vinhedo, a town about 80 kilometres northwest of Sao Paulo.

The aircraft was listed by flight tracker FlightRadar24 as an ATR 72-500 turboprop.

Abia State Governor has disclosed the findings of a committee set up by his administration to investigate the conduct of former Commissioner for Health, Dr Ngozi Okoronkwo who was suspended but later resigned her appointment.

The Governor, who spoke to Abia people during his monthly live Radio and TV programm at Government House, Umuahia, on Friday, said that the report did not indict the former commissioner of stealing or mismanaging public funds, as may have been rumoured by some members of the public.

Otti, however, said that there were some procedures that were allegedly abused by the former commissioner, quoting the committee’s report.

“Going through the report, there was no financial impropriety established but there were conducts that were not consistent with laid down policies. But since she offered to resign, the government decided to accept her resignation.

“I want to repeat that money was not stolen, money was not mismanaged but then, there were procedures that were abused and we didn’t think that was enough, rather a reprimand, a caution or a warning but she chose to throw in the trowel and we had to accept her resignation,” he said.

Reacting to the complaints that salaries of some Abia workers were slashed, the Governor described the development as criminal act but advised those with the complaints to approach the Commissioner for Information or the Accountant General of the state with evidences of their claims for investigation.

On security, Otti commended the efforts of security agencies in the state, maintaining that security had improved.

The governor, who announced that retirement age of nurses in the state will be increased from 60 to 65 years from next week, also explained that his administration would no longer carry out transfer of many civil servants to schools to serve as teachers as earlier planned.

The federal highway linking Kano to Maiduguri has been severely damaged by heavy downpour, particularly in the area between Malori and Guskuri villages in the Katagum Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

The heavy rain split the road into two parts, compelling drivers to seek different paths to their destinations.

While on a visit to assess the damage, Bauchi State Governor Bala Muhammed emphasized the road’s significance as a major link between Nigeria’s Northwest and Northeast regions.

Speaking to newsmen on Thursday, the governor called on the Federal Government to urgently look into the state of the dilapidated road.
“This is a major highway, the Northeast highway, and the dual carriageways have been completely washed away.

“We are calling on the Federal Government to assist. We will report this issue to Abuja through the Controller of Works,” he said.

He continued, “If they are unable to address the problem, we will take action to implement remedial or permanent measures, as we did during the last rainy season.”

The Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, Ireti Kingibe, has hailed Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, for their performance in the ongoing 2024 Olympic Games taking place in Paris, France.

Kingibe said that despite a 74-88 quarter-final loss to the USA, D’Tigress’ performance in the face of adversity represents Nigerians’ collective unyielding spirit.

“Your fearless and gallant performance in the face of adversity represents our collective unyielding spirit. Your rise like phoenixes in the 4th quarter against the wealthiest and most heavily invested team was a master class in resilience,” she said.

While celebrating the D’Tigress, Kingibe emphasized the importance of cultural heritage, citing the National Arts Theatre in Lagos as a symbol of the nation’s rich history and creative expression.

She said, “The National Arts Theatre in Lagos hosted FESTAC ’77, one of Africa’s largest art, culture, and music festivals, and every aspect of this iconic building should reflect that legacy. In the basement of the National Arts Theatre is a treasure trove of artistic expression worth billions of naira, with art pieces that showcase the diverse cultural heritage of our beloved nation.”

The senator called on the creative economy and tourism sectors to document, preserve, and protect the artifacts for the unborn generation.

She, therefore, asked for all hands on deck to promote cultural heritage, support artists, and sports people, and unlock the full potential of the nation’s creative economy.

“We owe it to ourselves, our children, and future generations to preserve and celebrate our rich cultural legacy, just as we celebrate the achievements of our sheroes. Together, we can build a great future that honors our past and inspires our future,” she added.

Take It Back Movement, one of the key organizers of the “End Bad Governance” nationwide protest, has scheduled Saturday, August 10, for a one-million-man protest in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Abuja.

Mr Sanyaolu Juwon, National Coordinator of the movement, stated this in a statement on Thursday, August 8, in Abuja.

He said, “The Take It Back Movement (TIB), side-by-side with other organizers and organizations will on August 10, lead a monumental one-million-man protest in each of the 36 states of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja.

“This event will mark a critical juncture in our nationwide EndBadGovernanceInNigeria campaign, which began on August 1, 2024.

“It started as a planned 10-day protest but has evolved into a sustained and widespread movement, drawing participants from every corner of Nigeria and the diaspora.”

The protest which aimed at drawing the attention of the governments at all levels to the hardship in the country started on August 1 and is expected to end on Saturday, August 10.

Four more bodies have been recovered from the site of a mining pit collapse in Galkogo, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, two months after the disaster occurred.

Numerous labourers were trapped on June 3, 2024, at the site managed by African Minerals and Logistics Limited.

The District Head of Galadima-Kogo, Mallam Umar Aliyu, confirmed the discovery of the bodies on Wednesday, August 8.

He stated that they have since been taken to the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) Specialist Hospital mortuary in Minna.

Aliyu revealed that two of the victims, who were Muslims, will be buried on Friday at the Palace of the Emir of Minna.

The remaining two, Christians, will be returned to their hometowns in Nasarawa State at the request of their families.

He said: “Yesterday, four more bodies were recovered from the mining pit that collapsed in my community.

“Two of the victims were Muslims and will be buried at the Emir’s Palace on Friday. The other two were Christians, with one from Nasarawa State and the other from Zumba. Their families have requested their bodies for burial.”

This brings the total number of bodies recovered from the site to 14.

Five persons have d!ed in a canoe accident in Taura Local Government Area of Jigawa State.

The incident happened at about noon on Thursday, August 8, 2024, when the canoe carrying twenty passengers capsized while crossing the Gamoda River near Nahuce village.

The spokesperson of the Jigawa State Police Command, Lawan Shiisu Adam, who confirmed the incident in a statement said upon receiving the distress call, a team of policemen, local divers, and Good Samaritans rushed to the scene in a rescue effort.

“Regretfully, five of the passengers were found d@ad,” the PPRO said.

The victims have been identified as Abdurra’uf Mohd, 15; Suleman Ali, 20; Shafiu Mohd, 25; Ado Nafance, 75; and Alasan Mohd, 16 – all of Taura LGA.

Efforts are ongoing to rescue the remaining passengers.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police for Jigawa State Amad Abdullahi has expressed his deep condolences to the families of the victims.

“We extend our heartfelt sympathies to the immediate families of the deceased and pray for the departed souls to find eternal peace,” he said.

A combined team of security operatives have arrested 12 suspects involved in unauthorised mining in Ondo State.

The operation, which included personnel from the 32 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, led to the arrest of individuals allegedly engaged in illegal mining.

The suspects include Abdullahi Ibrahim, 40; Hassan Bala, 40; Alawude Damilarin; Ajayi Ebukun, 35; Oluwaseun Rufus, 34; Adebayo James, 25; Kamal Zaharadeen, 25; Mohammed Bello Lawal, 25; Yunusa Mohammed, 24; Ma’azu Auwal, 24; Bashir Muktar, 24; and Kabiru Sani, 21.

Olugbenga Atiba, Senior Special Assistant on Security to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, confirmed the arrests to journalists in Akure on Thursday, August 8.

Atiba said the suspects, primarily from Niger and Zamfara States, were apprehended while the task force was acting on credible intelligence aimed at curbing kidnapping activities in the state.

“We deployed our personnel across Ondo’s three senatorial districts, penetrating deep into the forests to prevent kidnapping and make arrests where necessary. The illegal miners, primarily from Niger and Zamfara, had infiltrated these districts and were conducting unlawful activities until their apprehension,” Atiba said.

Gombe State Police Command has arrested 111 suspects in connection with recent violent protests, attacks on law enforcement officers, vandalism, and the looting of public and private property.

The suspects are also linked to the display of foreign flags during the unrest.

ASP Buhari Abdullahi, the Police Public Relations Officer, made the announcement on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Hayatu Usman, during a press briefing.

Abdullahi detailed the escalating violence in the state, which resulted in serious injuries to officers and significant damage to police vehicles.

According to him, among the arrested, nine suspects were detained for their direct involvement in attacks on police officers and looting during the protests.

He stated that key incidents of vandalism were reported at the Gombe State Revenue Recovery Tribunal, Bima Lodge, Gombe State Bureau of Public Service Reform, NITEL Company, and Blue-J Motors.

The Police spokesperson stressed the importance of upholding the rule of law, noting that such violent acts have a detrimental impact on communities and businesses in the state.

In addition to those arrested for attacks and looting, 92 suspects were detained in connection with vandalism and theft.

Abdullahi stated that the police have recovered some of the stolen property, although details on the extent of the recovery were not provided.

He added that on August 5, 2024, ten individuals were arrested for displaying foreign flags during the protests.

ASP Abdullahi described this act as disrespectful to national symbols and a treasonable offense under Nigerian law.

The police command stated its commitment to restoring peace, protecting life and property, and ensuring the rights of peaceful protesters while addressing unlawful activities.

Abdullahi also stated that CP Usman expressed gratitude for the cooperation of other security agencies and local communities in recovering looted property and restoring order in the state.

The command has called for calm and urged residents to report any lost property to the police headquarters for verification and possible recovery.

Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, has expressed deep concern over the recent display of Russian flags by northern youths during the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests, which escalated into violence in several northern states.

Yahaya, who also serves as the Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum, voiced his disappointment during a visit to Kumo in Akko Local Government Area on Thursday.

The governor was in Kumo to inaugurate the newly constructed Kumo General Hospital, where he was warmly received by local youths waving the Nigerian flag.

Yahaya said the sight of the Nigerian flag brought him a sense of relief and pride, contrasting sharply with the troubling images of Russian flags being used in the protests.

“I really feel very happy and fulfilled. I’m so proud of them because in so many places you will see the flags of other countries being raised; showing the level of decay and disappointment.

“Here we see support, love, care, and concern from them, especially the youth. It makes you feel relieved that at least there is a brighter future for Nigeria, and I’m happy,” Yahaya stated.

The use of the Russian flag during the protests has sparked significant concern within the government, prompting swift action from security agencies.

In Gombe, police have arrested at least 10 suspects in connection with the flag display, and the Department of State Services (DSS) is interrogating several foreigners believed to have sponsored the demonstrations.

In a related development, authorities in Kano arrested a tailor who was allegedly producing and supplying the Russian flags to the protesters.

The Federal Government has condemned the involvement of foreign symbols in domestic protests and warned other nations to stay out of Nigerian affairs.

The Russian embassy in Nigeria denied any connection to the protests.

Meanwhile, during the hospital inauguration, Governor Yahaya also shared the vision behind the new facility.

He said, “In 2019, I received a security briefing on the deplorable state of the facility. We concluded that there was no better option than to demolish it to make it a modern secondary medical facility with 200 bed spaces to cover Gombe Central.

“I feel fulfilled. We started with primary health care across the 114 wards. I urge the people to support the government to deliver on its promises.”

Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus was sworn into office Thursday, vowing to lead Bangladesh back to democracy after a student-led uprising ended the 15-year rule of Sheikh Hasina.

Yunus, who earlier on Thursday had hailed the overthrow of Hasina as Bangladesh’s “second independence”, swore to “uphold, support and protect the constitution”, in front of political and civil society leaders, generals and diplomats at the presidential palace.

“Today is a glorious day for us,” Yunus, 84, told reporters hours earlier when he returned to Dhaka from Europe.

“Bangladesh has created a new victory day. Bangladesh has got a second independence.”

Yunus called for the restoration of order after weeks of violence that left at least 455 people dead, calling on citizens to guard each other, including minorities who came under attack.

“Law and order is our first task… We cannot take a step forward unless we fix the law and order situation,” he said.

“My call to the people is if you have trust in me, then make sure there will be no attacks against anyone, anywhere in the country.”

“Every person is our brother… our task is to protect them,” Yunus said, adding that “the whole of Bangladesh is one big family”.

More than a dozen members of his cabinet, who are titled advisers, not ministers, also took the oath.

They included top leaders of the Students Against Discrimination group that led the weeks-long protests, Nahid Islam and Asif Mahmud.

Others included a former foreign secretary and a former attorney general, an environmental lawyer, and prominent rights activist Adilur Rahman Khan who was sentenced to two years in jail during Hasina’s rule.

Hasina, accused of widespread human rights abuses including jailing of political opponents, was forced to flee to neighbouring India on Monday as masses of protesters flooded Dhaka’s streets.

The military then agreed to student demands that Yunus — who won the Nobel in 2006 for his pioneering microfinancing work — lead an interim government.

Yunus choked with emotion on Thursday as he recalled the killing of student activist Abu Sayeed, shot dead in July by police from close range.

He paid tribute to the youth who sparked the protest movement and those who risked all for their desire for change.

“They protected the nation and gave it a new life”, he said.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his “best wishes” to Yunus on Thursday, saying New Delhi was “committed” to working with neighbouring Dhaka.

The founder of Streams of Joy International, Pastor Jerry Eze, has emerged as Nigeria’s highest YouTube earner.

This was announced by a data curation platform that provides rankings for YouTube channels globally, Playboard.

The report said Eze, who is the convener of the popular New Season Prophetic Prayers and Declarations, NSPPD, online prayer platform with over 2.12 million subscribers and over one million views daily, earns more than N7 million every day.

Mr Eze, a former Communications Specialist with The World Bank, emerged as the highest YouTuber because he is the most ‘Super Chatted’ content creator in Nigeria.

Super Chat, is a YouTube paid feature that highlights viewers’ messages at the top of a chat for a specified duration.

The longer the message (Super Chat) is pinned, the higher the cost and earnings for the YouTuber, in this case, Eze gets 70 per cent of the money earned from Super Chats.

Playboard data revealed that the Abia-born’s total revenue, primarily live-streamed on his YouTube page amounts to N7.81 billion (money made during a specific period.)

A 12-tonne gas truck on Thursday exploded at a Mobil filling station, opposite Airport Hotel, Allen junction, Lagos State, causing severe injuries on two persons.

The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Emergency Management Authority, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said this in a statement.

Mr Oke-Osanyintolu said the agency responded to a distress call through the 767 and 112 Toll-Free Emergency lines at 11.08 a.m. about the incident.

He said the agency activated its Tiger Response Team from the command and control centre, Alausa, Ikeja.

“Upon arrival at the incident scene, investigations conducted revealed that the fire was attributed to the explosion of a 12-tonne gas truck, which impacted several cars within the filling station and portions of a nearby building. Two adult males suffered severe burns, while others sustained minor injuries. The injured individuals were promptly rescued and given immediate medical attention by the agency’s pre-hospital care team in collaboration with LASAMBUS before being transferred to LASUTH for further medical treatment. The cause of the incident is currently under investigation. Immediate and remote cause of the truck explosion had not been ascertained,” he said.

He said six cars were impacted by the fire and the second floor of a two storey building beside the gas station was also affected.

He added, “There were no fatalities as a result of the incident. Safety measures were activated at the incident as part of measures to safeguard responders at the scene while the operation lasts. All responders are working fervently to ensure a quick and successful operation to restore normalcy to the environment. The fire has been brought under control and quickly contained alongside with the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service. Operation is ongoing as we are preventing it from spreading further to surrounding buildings.’’

Popular Crossdresser, Abuja Area Mama, has been k!lled. His lifeless body was found lying along the Katampe Mabuchi expressway in the FCT in the early hours of today August 8.

The deceased who never hid his s3xually, had on Wednesday, August 8, shared a video of himself in a black dress with white petals. He was later found in the pool of his own blood in the same dress he wore in the video he shared earlier on Wednesday evening.

Confirming the incident to LIB, the spokesperson of the FCT command, SP Josephine Adeh, said

‘’It is true. We received a distress call of a dead body lying of an unknown lady found at Katampe Mabuchi expressway. It was when the police arrived at the scene that we discovered that it was a man in full female attire with blood all over his face”

Adeh said his body was rushed to the hospital where he was certified dead.

The anti-kidnapping unit of the Kaduna State Police Command has arrested a notorious kidnapper identified as Abdulrahman of Karshi, Abuja.

Abdulrahman was arrested in possession of an AK-47 rifle and 27 rounds of live ammunition in Karshi.

The spokesman of the command, SP Mansir Hassan, in a statement on Wednesday, said Abdulrahman confessed to being involved in several kidnappings in Ikara LGA of Kaduna State during interrogation.

He said further investigations were ongoing.

Commissioner of Police CP Audu Ali Dabigi commended the officers involved for their exemplary work and reassured the public of the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property throughout the state.

Some street beggars in Kano have appealed to the organisers of the ongoing nationwide protests to sheath their swords in the interest of humanity.

Baba Haliru, a 70- year-old beggar from Rigiyar Zaki, told NAN that survival has become extremely challenging due to the protests.

Haliru explained that many beggars relied on daily earnings to feed their families, but the protests have prevented them from doing so.

He lamented, “We have not eaten anything in our household of 14 for two days in the last four days except water.

”For God’s sake, please reach out to those who organised the protests to end them by negotiating with the government.”

Other beggars re-echoed Haliru’s sentiments, calling for an end to the protests and the total lifting of the curfew.

Malama Mario Kabiru of Hotoro quarters said: “We have run out of foodstuffs and we can’t go out to buy more. We don’t have money, and the situation is unbearable.”

Malam Isa Musa of Dorayi quarters also appealed to the government to introduce measures that would cater for the needs of elderly individuals who have no support.

“We are begging because we have no one to support us. Since the curfew was introduced, we have not eaten anything in the last three days with our families.

”We can’t continue like this; kindly let the protests stop,” he lamented.

Russia on Wednesday battled a major cross-border incursion from Ukraine for a second day, the most serious attack on Russian territory by Kyiv’s forces in months that prompted both countries to evacuate several thousand civilians.

A local state of emergency was introduced in Russia’s Kursk region on Wednesday evening, 36 hours after Ukrainian soldiers, tanks and armoured vehicles stormed into the western border region.

Russia said it launched air and artillery firepower to repel the attack throughout Wednesday, after having rushed reinforcements to the region in a bid to halt Ukrainian advances.

After two days of fighting, the extent of the damage and the depth of the Ukrainian advance was unclear — though several reports from Ukrainian and Russian military bloggers suggested the fighters had gained several kilometres.

President Vladimir Putin said Ukraine had indiscriminately attacked civilian buildings and ambulances while Russia’s top general vowed to crush the incursion.

“The Kyiv regime has undertaken another large-scale provocation,” Putin said in a televised meeting with government officials.

Kursk governor Alexei Smirnov introduced a state of emergency in the region on Wednesday evening, a move that gives authorities additional powers to bring the situation under control.

At least five civilians have been killed and 31 wounded — six of them children — since the incursion began, Russian health officials said Wednesday.

Witnesses interviewed on Russian television said they had fled border areas in cars under drone fire.

Senior Ukrainian officials have not commented directly on the attack.

US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Washington was “reaching out to our Ukrainian counterparts to get a little better understanding”.

He added “Nothing has changed about our policy” and Ukraine can use US-supplied weapons only “to target imminent threats just across the border.”

US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said of the Kremlin: “It is a little bit rich, them calling it a provocation, given Russia violated Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.”

Authorities in Ukraine’s northeastern Sumy region, just across the border from Kursk, announced they were evacuating about 6,000 people.

A priest in the town, Evgeny Shestopalov, said in a video shared by Russian media that Sudzha was “on fire” and that residents unable to evacuate were sheltering at his church.

A local Russian TV station broadcast images from the city centre showing destroyed buildings, debris strewn across the street and large craters in the ground from artillery hits.

Russia’s National Guard said it was strengthening defences at the Kursk nuclear power station, some 60 kilometres from the border with Ukraine.

The Chief of Russia’s General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, said up to 1,000 combatants from Ukraine had been involved in the offensive, and that Russian forces had stopped them penetrating deeper into the Kursk region.

“The operation will end with the enemy’s defeat and them being pushed back to the state border,” he told Putin in a televised meeting.