Ukraine-based saboteurs claim successful attack on ‘platoon stronghold’ in Russia
Belgorod governor confirms incursion but nature of attack remains unclear
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Freedom of Russia Legion, a Ukrainian-based paramilitary group of Russians who oppose president Vladimir Putin, claimed responsibility on Sunday for a cross-border attack into the Belgorod region.
The group said it had destroyed a platoon stronghold of Russian troops near Terebreno village, without specifying whether it had destroyed infrastructure or killed soldiers, and said it had left mines behind.
"Russia is unable to control security within its borders. Putin’s security forces cannot ensure the safety of their citizens," a Ukrainian intelligence source was quoted as saying by the Kyiv Post.
"From Kyiv in three days to street battles in the Belgorod region. Instead of securing the border, the military is being sent en masse to their deaths near Avdiivka.”
On Sunday, Belgorod’s governor Vyacheslav Gladkov also reported incursion incidents on his Telegram channel, but he only confirmed damage to power lines in nearby villages.
He said a “shooting battle” was underway on the outskirts of a village, adding that no civilians were reported injured.
That clash began around 11am on Saturday, affecting nearly 200 residents of Terebreno village. With no evacuations ordered, residents were taking cover in shelters, reported the Kyiv Post.
The Freedom of Russia Legion, formed in spring 2022, consists of Russian military volunteers and operates under the command of the Ukrainian armed forces. It was formed “out of the wish of Russians to fight in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine against Putin’s armed gang”, says the legion.
It earlier claimed responsibility for cross-border operations in May and June this year. Russia has designated the legion as a terrorist group – though it also uses such language to refer to a wide range of Ukrainian military operations.
At the time of the earlier attacks, a Ukrainian military spokerson said the attacks in Belgorod only involved Russian citizens and that they were creating a "security zone" to protect Ukrainian civilians. He neither confirmed nor denied that these forces were part of a Ukrainian unit.
Additional reporting by agencies
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments