Russian-Ukrainian Border Clash
According to CNN, a group of anti-Putin Russian nationals, allegedly aligned with the Ukrainian army, has claimed responsibility for an attack in Russia’s Belgorod region. Shelling damaged several buildings, including a kindergarten, but there were no fatalities reported. The groups calling themselves the “Freedom of Russia Legion” and “Russian Volunteer Corps” announced on Telegram that they had “liberated” a settlement in the Belgorod region, near the Ukrainian border. While a Ukrainian official acknowledged that the units had conducted an operation in the area, they insisted that they were acting independently. The units were said to be part of Ukraine’s defense and security forces when in Ukraine but acted independently in Russia. The Kremlin stated that its forces were working to push out the “sabotage and reconnaissance group.”
This incident marks the first time that Ukrainian-aligned forces have launched a cross-border land operation against Russian targets, according to CNN’s Sam Kiley. The situation in Belgorod is significant and intended to cause consternation among local authorities and potentially at the Kremlin level. The regional governor reported that the situation remains extremely tense, and efforts are being made to protect the local population. The attack and subsequent claims by the “Freedom of Russia Legion” also serve as part of ongoing psychological operations aimed at undermining support for the war in Russia and the morale of Russian soldiers. The situation in Bakhmut, where Russian forces are battling to capture the eastern Ukrainian city, was also mentioned, with the Kremlin stating that it is working to push out the Ukrainian sabotage group from Russian territory.
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