The defense ministry says it has repelled three attacks in the border area, which has come under increased fire since last month.
Russia’s defense ministry has said it thwarted three cross-border attacks near the city of Shebekino as it accused Ukraine of using what it said were “terrorist formations”.
Shebekino is located in the Belgorod region, which has been the target of a number of attacks since May.
“In total, the attack involved up to 70 militants, five tanks, four armored vehicles, seven pick-up trucks and a Kamaz truck,” Russia’s defense ministry said Thursday evening, reporting at least three attempted crossings.
It said it used air power and artillery to repulse the attacks and killed more than 50 Ukrainian fighters.
The Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC), an ethnic Russian far-right paramilitary group that supports Ukraine, claimed to be fighting in Russia.
“The second phase promised by the commander of the RVC has begun!” said it on Telegram, referring to an earlier raid, alongside footage of fighters firing weapons.
Another anti-Kremlin group calling itself the Freedom of Russia Legion also announced a plan to launch a cross-border raid.
The Belgorod region saw an unprecedented two-day armed incursion last week and has come under intensified fire in recent days.
Ukraine denies its military involvement in the raids, saying they are carried out by Russian volunteer fighters.
Vyacheslav Gladkov, the governor of the Belgorod region, accused the Ukrainian armed forces of repeatedly targeting Shebekino with Soviet-designed grad 122mm rockets, setting fire to a dormitory and damaging an administrative building.
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Gladkov said at least 12 people had been wounded in the past 24 hours Shebekino and accused the Ukrainian armed forces of repeatedly targeting Shebekino with Soviet-designed grad 122mm rockets.
Residents poured into displaced persons centers in the city of Belgorod.
“There are many families with children, including babies and disabled people. We will try to provide them with as much care as possible,” Mayor Valentin Demidov said.
Two people were injured in the city when a drone crashed near a gas station, he added.
It was not possible to independently verify accounts from both sides.
Russia’s RVC and Legion of Freedom have claimed responsibility for last month’s cross-border incursion, one of the most serious attacks on Russian territory since Moscow began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.