Global Courant 2023-05-23 17:46:15
Russia said on Tuesday it had deployed fighter jets and artillery to destroy an armed group that had entered its border from Ukraine, while the Kremlin demanded the military prevent any recurrence.
The armed incursion was the most serious since the start of Moscow’s offensive in Ukraine last year, prompting the Kremlin to express “deep concern” and evacuate nine villages in the southern region of Belgorod.
The Defense Ministry’s announcement that it has deployed air power and artillery to Russian territory represents an unprecedented use of force domestically since the military campaign in Ukraine began last year. Regional authorities said 12 civilians were injured.
“During the counter-terrorist operation, the nationalist formations were blocked and destroyed by airstrikes and artillery fire,” the Russian defense ministry said in a statement.
“The remaining (fighters) were driven back to the territory of Ukraine, where they were hit by fire until they were completely eliminated,” the ministry said.
The Kremlin expressed “deep concern” after explosive attacks forced civilians from border villages to flee.
Local authorities said the Belgorod region had come under sustained artillery and mortar fire during clashes with a group they believed had crossed over from Ukraine.
Moscow said Russian forces killed more than 70 Ukrainian fighters and destroyed four armored vehicles, but AFP could not independently verify these claims.
– ‘Deep Concern’ –
Belgorod governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said civilians have been evacuated from nine border villages in the region, which have previously suffered shelling that killed dozens since Moscow launched its offensive last year.
“What happened yesterday is of great concern and confirms once again that Ukrainian militants are continuing their activities against our country,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
Members of the anti-Kremlin Freedom of Russia Legion have claimed responsibility for the Belgorod raid, while Kiev has denied involvement.
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Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Ganna Malyar said, “We are not waging war against foreign territories.”
In a video released by a Telegram channel claiming to represent the anti-Kremlin group, a camouflaged spokesman surrounded by armed men in uniform said Monday: “Russia will be free!” — a slogan often used by Russian opposition activists.
Security operations were underway in the border areas on Tuesday, Governor Gladkov said.
Several drones hit houses and a government building overnight, but no one was killed, the governor of Belgorod said as Ukraine’s leader visited the eastern frontline.
Gladkov added on Tuesday that it was too early for displaced residents to return and said authorities would release everything when it was safe.
– ‘Guerrilla movement’ –
On Monday, Russia said its troops were fighting a “sabotage group” that had entered from Ukraine and introduced an “anti-terror regime” in the Belgorod region, a first since the start of Moscow’s campaign in Ukraine in February 2022.
The UK Ministry of Defense noted that “Russia is facing an increasingly serious multi-domain security threat in its border regions, with fighter jet losses, improvised explosive device attacks on railway lines and now direct partisan action.”
Ukrainian presidential adviser Mikhaylo Podolyak suggested Russian “guerrilla groups” could be responsible.
“The only driving political force in a totalitarian country of tightened screws is always an armed guerrilla movement,” he said Monday.
The “anti-terror regime” gives special powers to security forces and entails the enforcement of a number of restrictions and measures, including enhanced security and communications oversight.
A similar regime was in place in Chechnya between 1999 and 2009, when Russian authorities fought insurgents during Moscow’s second military campaign in the mountainous region.
The attack on the Russian region was reported ahead of a widely expected Ukrainian offensive, though President Volodymyr Zelensky has said his country is not yet ready.
– Zelensky visits front –
Russia has fortified hundreds of miles of frontline with tank barriers, trenches and troops.
Zelensky on Tuesday visited Ukrainian troops on the frontline in the eastern region of Donetsk, where Russian troops have concentrated their efforts to seize territory.
“Every day on the battlefield, Ukrainian marines prove themselves to be a mighty force that destroys the enemy, liberates Ukrainian lands and performs the most difficult tasks under the most difficult conditions,” Zelensky said.
“And we need more of this force. So starting today, we’re significantly increasing the potential of the Marines and creating a Marine Corps,” Zelensky said.
Ukrainian forces held off Russian forces around Vugledar during Moscow’s winter offensive that gave the Kremlin only limited gains in the battle-ravaged Donetsk region.
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