According to Ukrainian military intelligence, anti-Kremlin Russian volunteer units have carried out a targeted attack in the Belgorod border region.
Groups of fighters from two opposition units against President Vladimir Putin shared footage apparently showing them operating in Russia and vowing to “liberate” the country from the autocrat’s rule.
Uniformed soldiers allegedly belonging to the Legion of Freedom of Russia and the Russian Volunteer Corps have shared separate videos of themselves posing with flags and in front of Russian road signs, calling for an end to the “Kremlin dictatorship”.
The clips came amid reports of a drone attack on Russia’s Golovchino district in Belgorod Oblast, some 56 kilometers from the region’s namesake capital. The drone reportedly dropped an explosive at an administration building.
Putin-appointed regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov urged residents not to panic at reports of multiple attacks in the border area.
According to Ukrainian military intelligence, anti-Kremlin Russian volunteer units have carried out a targeted attack in the Belgorod border region. Pictured: A group of anti-Kremlin Russian soldiers speak to the camera and explain that they are operating in Russia
Ukrainian military intelligence blamed Russian citizens belonging to two paramilitary groups for the armed operation in Russia’s Belgorod region, Ukrainian media outlet Hromadske said.
It quoted military intelligence spokesman Andriy Yusov as saying that the Freedom Legion of Russia and the Russian Volunteer Corps were responsible for the operation.
“Responsibility for these events was taken by citizens (of Russia), particularly by the RDK and the ‘Freedom of Russia’ Legion,” Hromadske quoted military intelligence spokesman Andriy Yusov, using the acronym for Russian Volunteer Corps.
“I think all of us can only applaud the determined action of opposition Russian citizens who are ready for an armed struggle against the criminal regime of (President) Vladimir Putin.”
Yusov said the Belgorod operation will create a “security zone” to protect Ukrainians from cross-border attacks by Russia.
Ukraine denied any involvement in the attack, but Presidential Advisor Mikhail Podolyak said: “Ukraine is watching events in Russia’s Belgorod region with interest and is studying the situation,” adding that Kyiv had “nothing to do with it.” .”
Ukraine has previously denied responsibility for several reported sabotage attacks on Russian territory.
Podolyak suspected that Russian “guerrilla groups” could be responsible.
“The only driving political force in a totalitarian country with the screws tightened is always an armed guerrilla movement,” he said.
“As you know, tanks are sold in every Russian military store, and underground guerrilla groups are made up of Russian citizens.”
Russia said the invasion was planned by Ukraine to “distract attention from Bakhmut” after Moscow claimed it captured the city over the weekend, but Kiev denied it.
The reported raid came ahead of a widely anticipated counteroffensive by Kiev.
In a video posted online, fighters from the Russian Volunteer Corps said they were in Russia in the early hours of Monday morning.
They released a nighttime video of some standing in front of Russian road signs, holding their flag, which has a sword and shield on the front.
The footage showed traffic signs in the Belgorod region.
“This is the Russian Volunteer Battalion,” said the group of four soldiers. “We have again crossed the border of the Russian Federation.” Russia will continue to be free.’
In a second clip, they were heard saying, “So the Russian volunteer is back in the motherland.” We’re home. “The time to fight for the freedom of Russia has come.”
Another group, allegedly the Legion of Freedom of Russia, also said it was operating in Ukraine.
In a statement to the Russian people, the leader of the unit said that Putin’s Russia was “tainted by corruption, lies, censorship, restrictions on freedom and repression.”
“It’s time to put an end to the Kremlin dictatorship,” the soldier said.
In a video posted online (pictured), fighters from the Russian Volunteer Corps said they were in Russia in the early hours of Monday morning
In a statement on Telegram, Governor Gladkov (pictured) said the Russian army and security forces would take action to repel the incursion
In a statement on Telegram, Governor Gladkov said the Russian army and security forces would take action to repel the incursion.
“A sabotage and reconnaissance group of the Ukrainian Armed Forces entered the Belgorod region of Russia,” Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said.
He added that the troops and the FSB security service are “taking the necessary measures to eliminate the enemy.”
In its video message, the so-called Russian Volunteer Corps — a Ukraine-based anti-Putin group that has in the past claimed to have crossed the border into Russia — said: “Russia will soon be free.”
Earlier, the Telegram channel Baza, which is linked to the Russian security services, published footage apparently showing an attack by a Ukrainian tank on a Russian border post. News outlets could not immediately verify the reports.
A separate video posted online showed the inside of a border checkpoint, with the body of a uniformed soldier lying on the ground.
The Russian Volunteer Corps, which released the video, said the body was that of a killed Russian border guard. “We came in with almost no resistance,” says the footage.
However, there was no independent confirmation of the attack on the border post.
Meanwhile, a Russian report said there had been “no casualties” among border guards and an enemy attack had been repelled.
Governor Gladkow had previously said up to six villages had been attacked by drones and mortar fire. Footage allegedly showed smoke billowing over the area, while video allegedly showed a roof on fire
“Against the background of the massive shelling of the Graivoronsky district, there is a massive information attack and calls for panic,” the governor said.
“I repeat, not a single civilian was injured or killed there.”
“I also see the mass dissemination of evacuation calls being made on behalf of Shebekinsky district.” “That’s a lie,” he said.
“Should the situation worsen or improve, we will inform you immediately.” I’m at work, I’m with you. “We will solve all our problems if we keep calm and don’t listen to our enemies.”
According to reports, the Golovchino district was hit by a drone strike.
“A quadrocopter dropped an explosive device on the building of the village administration in Golovchino,” the governor said. “The roof caught fire.” According to preliminary information, there are no injuries.”
Pictured: A still from video allegedly showing smoke over Russia’s Belgorod region on Sunday, amid reports of an incursion by anti-Kremlin Russian fighters
Gladkow said he would provide more details later.
After Russian President Vladimir Putin sent troops to Ukraine in February 2022, the Belgorod border region in the south of the country was repeatedly bombed and dozens of people were killed.
The authorities have also reported a number of incidents involving members of “sabotage” groups who came from Ukraine.
In April, the city of Belgorod was bombed by a Russian warplane that accidentally dropped ammunition over the city.