Residents who have fled their homes in Russia’s Belgorod region due to ongoing fighting have been advised not to return yet. The Russian officials claim that an armed “sabotage” group from Ukraine attacked the Grayvoronsky district near the border. As the fighting continues, Moscow has launched a terrorism investigation. However, Ukraine denies responsibility and asserts that Russian citizens from paramilitary groups were behind the incursion. Although no deaths have been reported, several people have been injured, and buildings, including a facility used by Russia’s main security agency, have been damaged.
The governor of the region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, confirmed the evacuation of several villages and warned those who had fled their homes not to return. He described the ongoing Russian forces’ operation as a “mopping up” process. This incident marks one of the largest cross-border incursions since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine 15 months ago, leading to a declaration of a counter-terrorism operation in Belgorod. Ukrainian officials identified the Liberty of Russia Legion and the Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC) as the groups involved. The situation is an attempt to divert attention from the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut.
The Liberty of Russia Legion, a Ukraine-based Russian militia, claims to be working inside Russia to overthrow President Vladimir Putin. They declared the complete liberation of the border town of Kozinka and stated that their forward units had reached Grayvoron. Dmitry Peskov, the spokesman for President Putin, dismissed them as Ukrainian militants of ethnic Russian origin. The city of Bakhmut has recently been a subject of conflict between the Russian mercenary Wagner group, which claims control, and Ukrainian authorities who assert their continued influence. While fighting has decreased, shelling continues in the area surrounding Bakhmut.
Source: BBC
