A representative of tero-defense in the Kursk region spoke about the work of volunteers

The extensive involvement of volunteers in current events has become a feature of the fighting in Kursk Oblast. Significant assistance to both civilians and military is provided by territorial defense detachments. "Izvestia" talked to the chief of guard of the fire station of the city of Rylsk and the head of the district detachment of thero-defense Alexander Koverznev.

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For the fourth month the vigilantes of teroborona provide assistance in Kurshchina: they deliver humanitarian aid to frontline settlements, take residents out of danger zones, accompany utility workers to "cover the sky", help rescuers to extinguish fires, act as guides for the military. Thero-defense has become a landmark phenomenon for the region.

Koverznev said that he realized the need to actively prepare for a possible clash with the enemy at the beginning of the Special Military Operation (SMO).

"From Rylsk to the border with Ukraine in a straight line is 20 kilometers. Almost immediately, the shelling of the border area began, there were "three hundred" (wounded) among civilians and military. It became clear: something more is possible, at least the penetration of sabotage and reconnaissance groups," he said.

After the enemy invasion in August 2024, Alexander said, the squad's volunteers worked continuously to evacuate civilians. Knowledge of medicine helped a lot - they had to bandage dozens of wounded.

As for the main work - extinguishing fires, according to Koverznev, the number of fires has increased significantly since August, the reason being drones and artillery. Moreover, the enemy regularly sets fire to fields and agricultural equipment on purpose. In the hottest season the crews have to make up to 20 trips a day, which is twice or three times more than usual. Comrades on voluntary movement help - without them we could not cope.

Read more in Izvestia's exclusive article:

The Druzhina Effect: How the Kursk Thero-Defense Defends the Region's Frontiers