Territorial defense units have begun to be created in the Belgorod and Kursk regions

Territorial defense units made up of volunteers are being created in the Belgorod Region. This was announced by the region's governor Vyacheslav Gladkov.

According to Gladkov, people who cannot be called up for military service due to age or health reasons, but “have combat experience and a great desire to defend their home and family if necessary,” can join the battalions.

Gladkov stated that the volunteers will be trained by “experienced instructors who have been through a large number of local wars and have combat experience.”

The governor of the neighboring Kursk region, Roman Starovoit, also announced the creation of a similar formation, the Patriot people's militia. "After a serious selection and combat training, volunteers will help the military protect the territory of the region. We invite everyone to join," he wrote in Telegram.

• The organization of territorial defense units in regions with a "medium response level," which include the Belgorod and Kursk regions, is provided for by the corresponding decree of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin. The decision on the need to create such units is made by the governors of the regions.