Anti-Kremlin Russian armed groups based in Ukraine claim incursions into Russia

On March 12, 2024, three Russian paramilitary groups based in Ukraine claimed to have crossed into Russia and are currently engaging Russian government troops in the Belgorod and Kursk regions. The Freedom of Russia Legion (FRL) and the Siberian Battalion (SB) have released videos purportedly showing their fighters in action in these regions. They claim to have launched an incursion with tanks and armored vehicles, potentially marking the largest cross-border attack since the beginning of the invasion.
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Announcing their actions via social media, the Freedom of Russia Legion claimed the destruction of a Russian armored military vehicle in the village of Tyotkino, located in the Kursk region (Picture source: Liberty Of Russia Legion)

Illya Ponomarev, a Russian opposition politician based in Ukraine, has stated that the border village of Lozovaya Rudka in the Belgorod region is "under full control of the liberation forces." The Russian Ministry of Defense and the Federal Security Service (FSB) have confirmed that dozens of fighters attempted to penetrate Russia "simultaneously from three directions in the areas of Odnorobovka, Nekhoteevka, and Spodaryushino, Belgorod region." They added that another series of four attacks targeted the border village of Tetkino in the Kursk region. However, they noted that the Ukrainian fighters were "repelled" after suffering heavy losses and were unable to penetrate the border regions.

Announcing their actions via social media, the Freedom of Russia Legion claimed the destruction of a Russian armored military vehicle in the village of Tyotkino, located in the Kursk region. Another group, the Siberian Battalion, declared on social media: "As promised, we are bringing freedom and justice to our Russian land."

While the authenticity of all videos has not been independently verified, the FRL posted what it claimed to be a video from the Russian-Ukrainian border. In the video, an armed FRL soldier stated: "Like all our fellow citizens, in the Legion, we dream of a Russia freed from Putin's dictatorship. But we do not just dream: we do everything possible to make these dreams come true. We will take back our land from the regime, inch by inch."

The SB meanwhile claimed that "fierce fighting is taking place on the territory of the Russian Federation," publishing a clip purportedly showing its fighters engaging Russian government forces. It also condemned the Russian presidential elections on March 15-17, in which Mr. Putin is widely expected to be declared the winner. Another Russian group based in Ukraine, the Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC), also released footage claiming to show its fighters engaging Russian government troops.

The Ukrainian military has denied any involvement in Tuesday's cross-border raids. Andriy Yusov, a spokesman for the country's military intelligence, said the paramilitary groups are "independent organizations" made up of Russian nationals and are therefore operating "at home."

Meanwhile, Russia claimed Ukraine launched 25 drones at targets across Russia, but the attack was thwarted. Last May, the Russian military stated that a similar attack in the Belgorod region had been repelled, and armed insurgents were defeated.

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