Ukraine-Backed Saboteurs Launch Cross-Border Raid in Russia’s Belgorod Region

Russian officials said Monday that a Ukrainian sabotage group launched a cross-border raid in Russia’s Belgorod Oblast, and the governor of the region said eight people were injured.

According to Ukrainian officials and media outlets, the attack was carried out by Russian citizens who have volunteered to fight for Kyiv, groups known as the Freedom of Russia Legion and Russian Volunteer Corps.

Both groups claimed on Telegram that they “liberated” a settlement inside Russia. According to Russia’s TASS news agency, the “Russian military and security forces are taking measures to eliminate the enemy and are driving it away from the Russian territory.” The Kremlin said the attack was launched to distract from Ukraine’s loss of Bakhmut.