Heavy fighting continued in Russia’s Belgorod region as Ukrainian forces attempted breakthrough

Ukrainian forces have attempted to break through into Russia’s Belgorod region, Russian Telegram channels claimed on Tuesday.

The southern region, which borders Kursk, reportedly came under attack by 500 Ukrainian troops who attacked two checkpoints at Nekhoteyevka and Shebekino, according to the Mash Telegram channel, which said fighting was “ongoing”.

The governor of Russia’s Belgorod region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, said the situation was “difficult but under control”.

“There is information that the enemy is trying to break through the border of the Belgorod region,” Mr Gladkov said.

“Our military is carrying out planned work. Please remain calm and trust only official sources of information.”

Belgorod borders the Kursk region, where Ukrainian troops launched an invasion on Aug 6, capturing more than 1,150 sq km of land. 

Russia’s Belgorod region was in difficult circumstances but was “under control,” the governor said Tuesday in response to reports that Ukrainian forces tried to break through the border.

Belgorod sits directly across the border from Ukraine’s Kharkiv region and has been subject to repeated shelling and drone attacks by Kyiv’s forces throughout the two-and-a-half-year conflict.

Russian Telegram channel Mash, which has purported links to law enforcement, reported on Tuesday that Ukrainian troops were trying to breach the border near the Russian village of Nekhoteyevka.

“Information has emerged that the enemy is trying to break through the border of the Belgorod region,” Belgorod region governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said on Telegram.

“According to the Russian defence ministry, the situation on the border remains difficult but under control,” he added.

He later posted a message saying Ukraine had launched shelling and drone attacks on at least three villages in the region, without commenting further on the reported incursion.

Russia’s border regions have been on high alert since Ukraine launched a surprise incursion into the Kursk region three weeks ago, seizing dozens of villages in the biggest cross-border attack on Russia since World War II.

Russia said earlier this month it would send more troops to defend the Belgorod region, with authorities there having earlier declared a state of emergency due to Kyiv’s attacks.

© 2024, GDC. © GDC and www.globaldefensecorp.com. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to www.globaldefensecorp.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.