Reports from Russian "military correspondents" have indicated a skirmish between the Russian military and armed groups supporting Ukraine in the Belgorod and Kursk regions, Mediza reports. Telegram channels such as WarGonzo and VGTRK correspondent Andrei Rudenko reported attempted border breaches by armed groups, met with resistance from Russian forces.
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Accounts of Battle and Response
WarGonzo described armed groups attempting a breakthrough near the village of Odnorobovka in the Belgorod region, while VGTRK correspondent Rudenko reported similar incidents in the Kursk region near Tetkino village. Allegedly, reconnaissance efforts were met with military action, resulting in casualties and retreats on both fronts.
Various Telegram channels and groups have shared videos and reports of the incidents, although the authenticity of these claims remains unverified. The Russian Freedom Legion, Russian Volunteer Corps, and Siberian Battalion have purportedly released footage suggesting involvement in the conflict, while doubts persist over the accuracy of these assertions.
🚨 BREAKING: Tanks with Russian Freedom Legion flags reportedly simultaneously entered both Belgorod and Kursk regions in Russia from Ukraine.
— Igor Sushko (@igorsushko) March 12, 2024
The Legion is composed of Russian soldiers fighting on the side of Ukraine against the Kremlin. pic.twitter.com/CWoDrtTp1t
Official Response and Denials
However, the Federal Security Service (FSB) has refuted claims of Ukrainian armed formations breaching Russian territory, labeling such reports as unfounded. The Russian Ministry of Defense has echoed this stance, attributing the clashes to Ukrainian "terrorist formations" and asserting successful repulsion of the alleged incursions.
Officials in the Belgorod and Kursk regions have provided insights into the situation, with Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov reporting attacks in the Grayvoronsky urban district and Governor Roman Starovoit confirming a shooting battle in Kursk. Despite claims of damage, both regions maintain that there has been no successful breach.
As the offensive into Russia is currently ongoing with firefights reported, the Russian Freedom Legion released an address to the Russian people, which features their new flag.
— Igor Sushko (@igorsushko) March 12, 2024
They say they are coming to liberate Russia. pic.twitter.com/odTNCjdvVp
Former State Duma deputy Ilya Ponomarev alleges the involvement of paramilitary groups like the "Freedom of Russia" legion, "Russian Volunteer Corps," and "Siberian Battalion" in the incursions. In response, Andrey Yusov of Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate emphasized the autonomous nature of these formations and their independent actions.
Later, a report followed about a plane crash in Belgorod.
Reports surfaced on the morning of March 12 suggesting that a Russian Su-27 aircraft had been downed in the Belgorod region, accompanied by a notable explosion heard in the Valuysk urban district. However, Alexei Dybov, the head of the district administration, refuted this claim, stating that the information regarding the plane crash was false and that the accompanying photo circulating online had no connection to their district.
A large Russian military plane has crashed near Ivanovo, northeast of Moscow.... pic.twitter.com/5tPXOBDyCH
— Volcaholic 🌋 (@volcaholic1) March 12, 2024
Contrarily, the Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed a separate incident involving an Il-76 aircraft crashing in the Ivanovo region during takeoff for a routine flight. The ministry stated that there were eight crew members and seven passengers aboard the aircraft. The crash was attributed to an engine fire that erupted during takeoff. According to Mash, a total of 15 individuals lost their lives in the plane crash in the Ivanovo region.
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