Russia launches counterattacks, residents evacuated amid Ukrainian offensive: officials

Russian forces have launched counterattacks in response to the Ukrainian offensive in the country's Kursk Region, while thousands of residents have been evacuated from the region and are receiving the necessary support, officials said on Monday.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed on Monday that Ukraine is conducting an "operation" in Russia's western Kursk region, while the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrsky said that Ukrainian forces have gained control of over 1,000 square kilometers of territory in the region.

The acting governor of the Kursk region, Alexei Smirnov, stated on the same day that 12 civilians have been killed, and more than 120 others injured in Ukrainian attacks in the region. He also noted that about 180,000 people are subject to evacuation, with approximately 120,000 residents having already left.

At a daily briefing in Kursk on Monday, officials from the military, local government and social services gave an update on the current situation in the region.

Yaroslav Yakimkin, head of the press center of Russia's North group unit, said that Russian armed forces are continuing to resist the offensive launched by the Ukrainian side.

"During the day, units of the North group and reserves took actions, strikes were launched by Russian aircraft and drones, and artillery fire suppressed attempts by enemy mobile groups and armored vehicles to break into Russian territory in the areas of Tolpino, Zhuravli and Obshchii Kolodez. Four armored personnel carriers, seven armored fighting vehicles and two other vehicles were destroyed," said Yakimkin.

Meanwhile, amid the Ukrainian incursion, thousands of residents have been moved to temporary sites, where they are receiving adequate support, while others are being evacuated to safer areas or heading to stay with family members in other regions.

"Over the past day, more than 8,000 people have left independently or in organized groups, and more than 6,000 people are in the temporary accommodations. There is sufficient space available at the temporary sites. Specialists from the Center for Emergency Psychological Aid of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia, and psychologists from the regional department of the Ministry of Emergency Situations are working with people in temporary accommodation. They provide not only psychological support to the arriving citizens, but also consultations on all developing issues," said Artem Sharov, an official representative of the interdepartmental operational headquarters set up in Kursk under the Russian Emergencies Ministry.

Kursk City Mayor Igor Kutsak confirmed that residential buildings had been struck in a Ukrainian rocket attack the previous evening, and said that emergency teams are on the ground to help those in the affected areas and carry put necessary repair work.

"Last night we had a terrorist attack on our city of Kursk. A residential area was hit with one building significantly damaged. City services were mobilized and sent to the attack site to offer assistance to those in need. Now my deputy is currently there on the ground. A special commission has been organized to help people in this area," said Kutsak.

Russia launches counterattacks, residents evacuated amid Ukrainian offensive: officials

China's automobile industry showed a growing trend in August, with both production and sales of vehicles increasing month on month, while those of new energy vehicles (NEVs) recorded a double-digit year-on-year growth, according to data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers on Tuesday.

In August, auto production and sales in China surpassed 2.49 million and 2.45 million units, respectively, showing month-on-month increases of 9 percent and 8.5 percent, with year-on-year decreases of 3.2 percent and 5 percent, indicating a smaller decline compared with the previous month.

During the January-August period, auto production and sales totaled about 18.67 million and 18.77 million units respectively, reflecting year-on-year growth of 2.5 percent and 3 percent, respectively.

In August, the production and sales of NEVs achieved 1.09 million and 1.10 million units, respectively, representing an increase of 29.6 percent and 30 percent year on year. The sales of NEVs in August account for 44.8 percent of the new vehicle sales in China.

In the first eight months of this year, the production of NEVs reached nearly 7.01 million units, rising 29 percent year on year. The sales of NEVs hit almost 7.04 million units, growing by 30.9 percent from a year earlier. The market share of NEVs in China reached 37.5 percent in the period.

On the export front, auto exports reached 511,000 units in August, marking a year-on-year increase of 25.4 percent. Among these, exports of NEVs totaled 110,000 units, showing a 22-percent growth year on year.

China's auto industry reports rising vehicle production, sales in August