Foreign Wars and conflicts

The first confirmed videos of the pro-Ukrainian attack in the Belgorod region, Russia

Kiev: incursion conducted only by Russian fighters, the goal is a security belt beyond the border

23/05/2023

Fighters and armored vehicles crossed from Ukrainian territory into Russia, attacking border posts and the population centers of Kozinka and Grayvoron. According to Ukrainian media, the Russian checkpoint of Grayvoron, in the Belgorod region, which is located near a nuclear weapons depot, has been surrounded. These two videos, published by the Telegram channels catars_is and anna_news, were both geolocated in the vicinity of Kozinka.

Vyacheslav Gladkov, governor of the Belgorod region wrote: "A sabotage and reconnaissance group of the Ukrainian armed forces entered the territory of the Grayvoronsky district. The armed forces of the Russian Federation, together with the border service, the Russian Guard and the FSB, are taking the necessary measures to eliminate the enemy." Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the incident "an operation to divert attention from the defeat suffered in Bakhmut," adding that Putin had been informed.

Andriy Yusov, representative of Ukrainian military intelligence, spoke of an incursion was conducted only by Russian fighters belonging to two formations, Freedom for Russia and the Russian Volunteer Corps. Composed of deserters and opponents of the Kremlin, the first is liberal democratic, the second oriented to the right. They are both part of the regular Ukrainian army, and both claimed responsibility for the attack. "Do not resist and do not be afraid: we are not your enemies. Unlike Putin's zombies, we don't touch civilians and use them for our own purposes. Freedom is near. Today is the time for everyone to take responsibility for their future. It is time for the Kremlin's dictatorship to end," reads the Freedom for Russia Telegram channel.

The Telegram channel "Open Belgorod" reported that electricity and water were cut off in several locations.