By Smartencyclopedia Newsroom
Moscow has announced that it is carrying out a counter-terrorism operation in response to a sabotage group that infiltrated from Ukraine.
During an ongoing “counter-terrorism operation” by Moscow forces following a significant incursion from Ukraine, drones targeted a border region of Russia overnight.
The strikes hit residential buildings and a government facility in Belgorod, but fortunately, there were no reported casualties.
The incursion by what Russia claims to be a “sabotage” group from Ukraine prompted their military response. Ukrainian officials, however, denied any involvement and stated that they were monitoring the situation closely.
According to Ukrainian military intelligence cited by Hromadske, two armed Russian opposition groups known as the Liberty of Russia Legion and the Russian Volunteer Corps, both comprised of Russian citizens, were held responsible for the recent drone strikes in the Belgorod region. The attacks resulted in at least eight people being wounded and several buildings being damaged, leading to the displacement of numerous residents.
In response to the incident, Russia implemented an “anti-terror regime” in Belgorod, marking the first instance of such a measure since the start of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov, who imposed restrictions on movement and communications, confirmed that the anti-terrorist operation was ongoing.
The Russian Volunteer Corps shared video footage purportedly showing one of their fighters inspecting a captured armored vehicle. Another video depicted fighters operating an armored vehicle on a rural road. Additionally, various videos circulating on social media platforms showed images and videos of individuals claimed to be captured Russian servicemen, along with their identification documents.
The Liberty of Russia Legion declared on Twitter that they had successfully “liberated” the border town of Kozinka and announced their advancement towards the district center of Graivoron, located further east. They expressed their determination to continue their progress, proclaiming the eventual liberation of Russia.
The Belgorod region has been subjected to repeated shelling throughout the war, resulting in the loss of numerous lives. In April, a Russian aircraft accidentally dropped munitions on the city of Belgorod, creating a large crater.
The Kremlin stated that the incursion by a “Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance group” aimed to divert attention from the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut. Russian forces claim to have captured Bakhmut in its entirety after more than nine months of fighting. Russia views the capture of Bakhmut as a strategic development that would facilitate further advances in the Donbas eastern industrial region.
However, Ukraine argues that its advancement on the flanks of the Russian forces holds greater significance than its withdrawal from Bakhmut itself. It suggests that Russia would need to weaken its defenses in other areas to send reinforcements to hold the damaged city.
The Ukrainian military reported more than 30 clashes in the main sectors of the front line, with Bakhmut and the southern town of Maryinka remaining the focal points of the fighting. It confirmed that the battles for the city of Bakhmut were ongoing.
Source: With Agencies