A view shows what Russian Defence Ministry says is a destroyed tank of Ukraine-based armed groups after an attempted incursion into Russian territory at a border crossing between Russia and Ukraine near the village of Nekhoteevka in the Belgorod Region, Russia, in this still image taken from video released March 12, 2024. Russian Defence Ministry/Handout via REUTERS
Armed individuals purporting to be Russian citizens and opposing the Kremlin have claimed responsibility for cross-border incursions into western Russia from Ukraine utilizing tanks on Tuesday. However, Moscow has stated that it successfully repelled these attacks. Ukraine has asserted that these groups were acting independently, yet the timing of the border raids, just ahead of a presidential election in Russia and approximately two years post Moscow’s comprehensive invasion of Ukraine, has led to widespread speculation regarding Kyiv’s potential involvement.
A spokesperson for the Freedom of Russia Legion, Alexei Baranovsky, indicated that this operation was in its initial phase and suggested further developments leading up to the forthcoming elections in Russia. The group asserted full control over Tyotkino, a village bordering Ukraine within Russia’s Kursk region, and released aerial footage depicting armed individuals traversing a field, purportedly captured by a drone. Baranovsky, communicating with Reuters via Zoom from an undisclosed location, emphasized the concentration of forces in the Kursk region and speculated that the incursion could compel Russia to redeploy reserves to defend the area, thereby alleviating pressure on Ukrainian forces in the eastern region.
Furthermore, the Freedom of Russia Legion claimed the destruction of a Russian armored personnel carrier and coordinated actions with two other Ukraine-based groups, namely the Russian Volunteer Corps and the Siberian Battalion. The Russian defense ministry countered these claims, asserting the repulsion of attacks by Ukrainian “terrorist formations” supported by tanks and armored combat vehicles in multiple directions within Russia’s Belgorod and Kursk regions during the early hours of the morning. Additional assaults by Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance groups were reportedly thwarted several hours later in the Kursk region. Moreover, both regions experienced drone attacks, with one drone crashing into the Belgorod city administration building and causing injuries.
Regarding the affiliations of these armed groups, Ukraine’s military intelligence agency has stated that they operate independently, although it remains unclear how they obtain advanced weaponry and armored vehicles. Previous cross-border raids have been attributed to the Freedom of Russia Legion and the Russian Volunteer Corps, with Russian authorities alleging connections to Ukraine’s military and the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency.
Two of these groups referenced Russia’s impending presidential election through social media posts. The Siberian Battalion disseminated a video purportedly addressing the Russian populace, wherein a masked individual urged citizens to prioritize armed conflict over electoral participation. Similarly, the Freedom of Russia Legion conveyed a message on Telegram seemingly alluding to the election, emphasizing the people’s freedom of choice. However, Reuters was unable to independently verify the assertions made by either side regarding the battlefield situation.
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