Fighting in Russia’s Belgorod region entered its second day on Tuesday and its governor told residents it was still not safe to return to their homes. People have fled after an incursion by armed fighters across the border from Ukraine.
Monday’s raid, which appears to involve armored vehicles, was the largest attack on Russia since war broke out 15 months ago, but details such as the number of fighters involved, their affiliation and the extent of any clashes cannot be independently confirmed.
Russian authorities have evacuated residents of the region’s Graivoron district after invading forces said they had captured the border town of Kozinka and several others.
“The cleaning of the territory by the Defense Ministry together with the security agencies continues,” Belgorod governor Vyacheslav Gladkov told the Telegram messaging service.
“I am now appealing to the residents of the Graivoron district who have temporarily abandoned their homes. It is still not possible to return,” he said, adding that two buildings were attacked by drones overnight.
Gladkov said a woman died during the retreat and there were reports of two people being injured. Task “number one” on Tuesday was to reach them. On Monday, Gladkov said at least eight people were injured, several buildings were damaged and many residents fled.
One of the groups that claimed responsibility for the raid, the Russian Freedom Legion, said on Telegram: “Good morning everyone except Putin’s henchmen. We arrived at dawn in liberated territory and are moving forward.”
He and a second group, the Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC), say they represent armed Russian fighters opposing the Kremlin and operating from Ukraine.
Moscow blamed Ukrainian forces for the attack, saying the saboteurs were trying to divert attention from Russia’s capture of the town of Bakhmut three days ago after Europe’s bloodiest land battle since World War II.
Russian investigators said they were filing a terrorism case over the incursion.
Kiev has publicly denied blame for the attack, although some of its denials have been expressed with apparent irony, to mimic earlier Russian denials of participation in separatist movements in Ukraine.
Kiev “has nothing to do with it,” Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak tweeted. “As you know, tanks are sold in any Russian military store, and underground guerrilla groups are Russian citizens.”
Source: Terra
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