Fighting with partisans continues
Governor warns citizens against returning to Belgorod
05/23/2023 10:31 am
The actions of the Russian partisan groups in the Belgorod region initially seem like a flash in the pan, perhaps a diversionary maneuver. But the fact is that the fighting continues. The governor of the region warns evacuated citizens against returning to the combat zone.
According to the authorities, fighting in several towns bordering Ukraine in the western Russian region of Belgorod continues. “The Ministry of Defense and other security structures continue to clean up the territory,” Belgorod governor Vyacheslav Gladkov told Telegram. According to previous knowledge, there were no casualties among the civilians, but it was too early for the residents to return, he explained.
According to the British Ministry of Defence There were clashes with Russian forces in three towns. Both small arms and numerous drones are said to have been used. Some towns were apparently evacuated, although Russian authorities have officially denied this.
Fighting broke out in the district of Grayvoron on the border with Ukraine on Monday. According to Gladkow, a “spy and sabotage squad” had entered the area. Two volunteer corps, made up of Russian citizens who are fighting on the side of Kiev in the war in Ukraine, claimed responsibility for the attack. The goal is to create a demilitarized zone along the border to prevent constant shelling of Ukrainian territory, they said.
Kiev denied any involvement in the action. The extent of the fighting is unclear. Most residents have fled. According to authorities, eight people were injured. Gladkow announced in the morning that two injured residents were still in the contested villages. So far, however, the security forces have not been able to get to them to take care of them.
Russia launched its aggressive war against Ukraine 15 months ago and regularly shells towns and infrastructure in the neighboring country. In the meantime, however, Russian border regions are also complaining about increasing shelling from the Ukrainian side. The Belgorod incident is the most serious attack on Russian territory to date.