Ukraine war briefing: Russia hiring trench diggers after Kursk invasion

• Russia is urgently advertising for trench diggers to build defences in the Kursk region because of Ukraine’s surprise invasion, according to reports. Figures quoted by the BBC’s Russian service from the jobs site Avito suggested wages equating to US$2,500 a month or more. Ads call for labourers and general workers with no experience, but also excavator operators, and promise the work will be “outside the combat zone” with “no danger”. The Institute for the Study of War, citing satellite images, has said Russia is hurriedly trying to fortify a line 10 miles (16km) away from Ukraine’s frontline in Kursk.