Russian citizens fighting for Ukraine launched a counter-invasion on Tuesday morning, with Ukrainian state media claiming they were fighting to liberate Russia from “Putin’s dictatorship.” Both sides have so far claimed combat success in the conflict.
Russian national forces loyal to Kiev have carried out several incursions into mainland Russia over the past year, but on Tuesday multiple units, including tanks, allegedly linked up across the border between two Russian regions. This morning’s attack appears to be the largest of these. The war so far. Units including the Russian Corps, the Siberian Battalion, and the Russian Volunteer Army are said to have crossed the border into Russia’s Belgorod and Kursk oblasts on Tuesday morning, as Ukraine carried out large-scale coordinated air strikes deep into Russia’s interior. There was also.
Russia acknowledged that attacks on its border took place, but claimed it had repelled all attacks and inflicted heavy losses on the rebels. By Wednesday, Ukraine reported that Russian forces were increasing the deployment of mines along the Belgorod border, suggesting it did not welcome further incursions.
A shared video purportedly showing the attack shows tanks flying the blue and white flag of the Russian Resistance Army charging into battle. Meanwhile, Ukrainian state media claimed that Russian militias armed in Kiev – what they called the “Liberation Army” – had captured the border village of Tiotkino in Kursk Oblast and the border town of Rozova Rudka in Belgorod. ing. Ukraine cites battle reports by Russia’s anti-Putin forces after occupying the settlement, stating that “Putin’s forces are leaving their positions, abandoning their heavy equipment, and rapidly retreating from the village.”
Anti-invasion or rebellion?Kremlin and Kiev exchange accusations as fighting breaks out in Russia’s Belgorod regionhttps://t.co/B3PHsrQ5Ed
— Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) May 23, 2023
Kremlin spokesman Alexei Baranovsky told Ukrainian television that the anti-invasion was timed to coincide with Russian national elections this week, but given the state of Russia’s democracy, “it is necessary to vote.” He gave his thoughts on the battle. With a gun. He said: “We have decided to exercise our constitutional right to vote… We are voting for a Russia without Putin. For the liberation of Russia from Putin…. We are voting for a Russia without Putin. I am returning to my country to free myself from the dictatorship.”
Baranovsky said Russian border forces were caught by surprise by the attack and called on more Russians to join anti-Putin militias. He added: “Fighting is occurring and is unfolding as we speak… We still have full control of the initiative and Russian forces are withdrawing. We’ll see how it develops.”
Tuesday is not the first time Russian militias have launched a border incursion into mainland Russia. Last spring, a convoy of anti-Putin volunteer soldiers swept into Belgorod and briefly took control of the town.An attack sparked controversy after it emerged that the group may have used vehicles donated by the United States in the attack. However, that purpose had not been approved by the United States. Because that equipment will be used. In response to Russia’s release of images of U.S. military equipment it claims were used in the attack, the Pentagon said: “I can confirm that the U.S. government does not authorize third-party transfers of equipment to militias other than the Ukrainian military.” The Ukrainian government has also not requested such transfers. ”
Ukraine shelled the area in the following days following the attack, prompting protests from the Kremlin, which accused Ukraine of launching a “terrorist” attack against the Kremlin. Russia countered the invasion by equipping local defense volunteers with hunting rifles and SUVs.
The attack also put Russian resistance groups under increased scrutiny. They are accused of harboring “far-right extremists” while contributing to anti-Putin efforts and fighting on Ukraine’s side. Indeed, the extent to which Western countries can tolerate neo-Nazi involvement in combat in order to see off Putin is a matter of some debate. new york times While acknowledging that exposing neo-Nazis in the Ukraine war could play into the hands of Russian propagandists, ignoring them legitimizes extremism.
The Kremlin was as usual dismissive of Tuesday’s counterattack on Russian territory, saying that “Ukrainian forces have received a firm refusal from border guards” and that the situation is “under control.” Russia claims to have “destroyed” 234 soldiers, seven tanks and three armored fighting vehicles in the battle, but such figures are notoriously unreliable. Russia also denies claims that rebels have taken control of the village of Tiokino, saying it repulsed “several people” by assault.
The Kremlin also did not mention the nationality of the attacking force, only mentioning them as Ukrainians, a move possibly aimed at suppressing discussion of indigenous resistance to President Putin in the country.
US denies involvement in Belgorod ‘militia’ fighting, warns against ‘bogus’ war imageshttps://t.co/njrb8EqLr1
— Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) May 24, 2023
