Fierce fighting in Russia’s Belgorod region – massive attacks on Moscow’s nerves

In the Russian border region of Belgorod, shock troops from Ukraine have captured three villages and clashed with the Russian army.

FRANKFURT – The situation was unclear on Tuesday. Vyacheslav Kladkov, the governor of Russia’s border region of Belgorod, said a “clean-up of the area” was under way, adding that 12 civilians were injured and 29 houses and three cars were damaged. The Russian Defense Ministry said the invaders were “intercepted and destroyed,” their remains were thrown back across the border, and “70 Ukrainian terrorists” were killed.

Russian military bloggers wrote about being far from fierce and decisive battles in the Gravoron region. “In 24 hours, Khokhly (Russian swear word for Ukrainians) settled in two villages,” wrote the Rybar Telegram channel. “Artillery and tank shells are coming from there.” According to Rieber, the enemy received reinforcements from Ukraine on Tuesday. Another raiding party reached the border near the village of Shchetinovkoi and engaged Russian armed forces.

“Great Chaos”: Fighting suddenly broke out in Belgorod

Before sunrise on Monday, motorized and tank-backed shock troops from Ukraine penetrated several kilometers into Russian territory near Gravoron and occupied at least three villages. They posed for selfies in front of place-name signs and introduced themselves as fighters from the Free Russia Legion and the Russian Volunteer Corps, made up of Russian citizens.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov expressed “deep concern”. The initiative confirmed that “Ukrainian guerrillas continue their operations against our country.” There was palpable unrest among the war-patriotic public. Nationalist intelligence veteran Igor Strelkov testified that Ukrainians were stationed near the village of Kocinka and at the Kirajvoron border post, and that they intended to hold their positions as long as possible. Enemies begin their counterattack with such diversionary maneuvers.

“Now he must wait for the Russian command to push reserves into this operationally utterly hopeless division for honor.” According to the “Ukrainskaya Pravda” portal, the “Free Russia” brigade said on Tuesday afternoon that the “liberation of the Belgorod region” continues.

Indeed, the attack also seems to target the Kremlin’s values ​​and mindset in Russia. It was not yet certain that their own major attack on Kiev was imminent. But the fascinating pinbricks against Russia have been going on for weeks. In early May, two fighter drones precisely struck a Kremlin dome, disrupting Vladimir Putin’s May 9 military parade in Red Square. In the middle of the month, the Ukrainians shot down two Russian fighter-bombers and two accompanying helicopters over Belgorod.

Clashes in Belgorod: Apparently Russian partisans are at work

A growing number of Russians, who don’t get their information from state television, but from YouTube or exile portals, are increasingly experiencing a greater interest in “enemy” activity and courage. On the Russian side, however, loud clashes between mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin and the Ministry of Defense have been making headlines. On Monday he scoffed that the Defense Ministry could not attack and therefore the Defense Ministry.

Kiev also trolls Moscow. Ukraine is following events in the Belgorod region with interest but has nothing to do with them, presidential adviser Mykhailo Podoliak tweeted. “It is well known that you can buy tanks at any Russian military store.” A reference to Vladimir Putin’s famous 2014 claim that Russian soldiers in Crimea were local vigilantes and that Russian uniforms could be bought at any military store. Now the Ukrainian campaign has a laugh on its side.