Russian fighters linked to Pro-Ukrainian forces launch cross-border assaults in Russia
Reports surfaced of Russian fighters associated with Pro-Ukrainian factions carrying out cross-border assaults in multiple regions of Russia following a series of drone strikes by Kyiv targeting various locations within the country.
Pro-Ukrainian groups of Russian fighters allegedly carried out cross-border attacks in two regions of Russia on Tuesday. This came shortly after Kyiv launched a series of drone attacks across the country.
The Freedom for Russia Legion, a group of Russian dissidents fighting for Ukraine, claimed to have taken full control of the village of Tyotkino in Russia's Kursk region. However, CNN is unable to independently confirm these claims.
A group of battle-hardened Russian volunteers, who are against the Kremlin, are fighting alongside Ukraine's armed forces. They have reported destroying an armored personnel carrier inside Russia.
Another group of Russian fighters supporting Ukraine, known as the Siberian Battalion, announced on Tuesday through Telegram that they have returned home. They expressed their commitment to bringing freedom and justice to Russian soil, as they had promised.
A third group, the Russian Volunteer Corps (RDK), also claimed to be involved in the fight.
The 122mm howitzer D-30 is fired in Donetsk region. Ukraine's state-owned defense conglomerate, Ukroboronprom, has delivered its first batch of domestically produced 122 mm artillery shells to the Ukrainian army. The 122 caliber projectile is used by the Ukrainian artillery while operating with the trailing D-30 howitzer (maximum range: 15,400 m) and 2S1 Gvozdika SAU (maximum range: 15,200 m). This is part of Ukraine's efforts to increase its self-sufficiency and security by launching its own production of ammunition. The shells underwent rigorous testing before being delivered, and they were found to exceed the standard Soviet model in terms of the number of fragments produced. (Photo by Mykhaylo Palinchak / SOPA Images/Sipa USA)
Ukraine's state-owned defense conglomerate, Ukroboronprom, has successfully delivered its first batch of 122mm artillery shells to the Ukrainian army in the Donetsk region. These domestically produced shells are specifically designed for use with the 122mm howitzer D-30 and the 2S1 Gvozdika SAU, both known for their impressive maximum ranges of 15,400m and 15,200m respectively.
This initiative is part of Ukraine's strategic plan to enhance its self-sufficiency and security by manufacturing its own ammunition. Before being handed over, the shells underwent extensive testing to ensure their quality and effectiveness. Results revealed that the domestically produced shells surpassed the standard Soviet model in terms of the number of fragments generated upon impact.
The development and successful delivery of these artillery shells mark a significant milestone in Ukraine's effort to bolster its military capabilities and reduce its dependence on external sources for ammunition. (Photo by Mykhaylo Palinchak / SOPA Images/Sipa USA)
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CNN reached out to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense for their response. The Russian defense ministry reported that on Tuesday morning, Ukrainian forces attempted to cross the border in tanks and armored vehicles from three different directions. However, they stated that the attacks were successfully stopped.
The ministry reported that the attacks took place in the village of Odnorobovka in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, as well as in the nearby Russian villages of Nekhoteevka and Spodariushino in Belgorod.
According to the ministry, the enemy was targeted by aviation, missile forces, and artillery. It stated that five tanks and an armored personnel carrier were "eliminated" in Nekhoteevka and Spodariushino.
The ministry reported that its forces had engaged with Ukrainian soldiers near Odnorobovka, resulting in the deaths of 60 soldiers who were trying to cross into Russia.
In addition, four more attacks were carried out near the border area of Russia's Kursk region, located north of Belgorod. Ukraine reportedly faced "significant losses" and was forced to retreat. The ministry did not provide specific details on casualties in Kursk, and CNN is unable to confirm the information independently.
Since Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine over two years ago, Russia's Belgorod region has faced multiple cross-border attacks. In May 2023, the Freedom for Russia Legion took credit for a raid into Belgorod. As a result, Ukraine started targeting the region with shelling and drone strikes. This led to the Kremlin promising to enhance Belgorod's air defenses.
Russia's defense ministry reported that they successfully intercepted and destroyed a total of 24 drones in various regions. This included two drones over Moscow, seven over Belgorod, 11 over Kursk, two over Oryol, and one each over Leningrad, Bryansk, and Tula regions.
One of the drones hit an oil depot in the Oryol region, leading to a fire that the governor stated had been put out. Luckily, there were no injuries reported.
The governor of Belgorod claimed that Ukraine had utilized a drone to release four explosives over the region. Although no one was hurt, the power line suffered damage, resulting in seven settlements losing electricity.
School children in Kursk will also shift to online learning because of safety reasons, as stated by the governor of the region on Tuesday. This decision will impact over 4,500 students from 34 schools in the Sudzhansky and Glushkovsky districts.
A Russian military plane has crashed.
A Russian military plane crashed on Tuesday in a separate incident, as reported by Russian state media RIA Novosti. The crash occurred hundreds of kilometers northeast of Moscow when the plane's engine caught fire, according to the defense ministry.
The Ilyushin IL-76 was carrying eight crew members and seven passengers when it crashed in the Ivanovo region while attempting to take off, as stated by RIA.
Tuesday marked the second IL-76 crash in Russia this year. In January, an IL-76 was downed over Belgorod, resulting in the deaths of all 74 individuals on board, including numerous Ukrainian servicemen headed for a prisoner exchange. Russia placed blame on Ukraine for the incident.
Ukraine, however, did not confirm allegations of firing at the plane. A Ukrainian military official later informed CNN that only five bodies were received at a nearby morgue, contradicting Moscow's statement that 65 Ukrainian servicemen had perished in the explosion.
Editor's P/S:
The recent cross-border attacks by pro-Ukrainian Russian fighters and the subsequent response from the Russian defense ministry highlight the complex and volatile situation on the Ukrainian-Russian border. While the specific claims and counterclaims made by both sides cannot be independently verified, the incidents underscore the ongoing conflict and the potential for further escalation.
The involvement of Russian fighters on the Ukrainian side raises questions about the level of support for the Ukrainian cause within Russia and the potential for internal dissent to grow. The Russian government's response, including the reported destruction of Ukrainian tanks and armored vehicles, demonstrates its determination to maintain control over its border regions and prevent any incursion by Ukrainian forces. As the conflict continues, it is crucial for all parties involved to exercise restraint and seek diplomatic solutions to avoid further bloodshed and instability in the region.
