(Reuters) – On Monday, three Russian bordering regions announced that they would increase security to counter “possible provocations” by the Ukrainian side.

Moscow has charged Ukraine with targeting its borders regions. The Russian government sent thousands to Ukraine for what it called “special military operations”. It also attacked a fuel depot in Belgorod, earlier in this month.

Officials in Belgorod, Voronezh, and Bryansk declared that security was being increased and encouraged citizens to exercise greater caution. On Sunday, another region near Ukraine, Kursk announced similar measures.

Alexander Gusev is the governor of Voronezh, which has a border to the Luhansk region of Ukraine.

Vyacheslav Gladkov (the governor of Belgorod) stated that additional security measures would be implemented until April 25 in order to combat what he described as terrorist threats. This region is bordered by the Sumy, Kharkiv, and Luhansk areas of Ukraine.

Gladkov advised that people should avoid crowds in public areas, keep their identity papers on hand, plan for an emergency, be prepared to evacuate, and give attention to strange vehicles and strangers near homes.

Bryansk, which is bordered by the Sumy and Chernihiv areas of Ukraine, stated that it was on alert for terrorist threats.

Roman Starovoit (the governor of Kursk), announced that police and military personnel would establish checkpoints on Sunday. This was less than one week after the alleged firing at border guards in the area.

Russia sent thousands of troops into Ukraine to combat the military weaknesses of Ukraine’s southern neighbor, and expel dangerous nationalists.

The West has placed severe sanctions against Russia to try to get it to pull out its troops. However, the Ukrainian resistance was strong.