The pro-Ukrainian militia group said it controlled the village of Gorkovsky in Russia's Belgorod province, its second target since the group's cross-border attack.
“The village of Gorkovsky in Belgorod province is currently under the control of Russian liberation forces,” the militia group called the Russian Free Corps (FRL) announced on social networks on March 17, adding that the campaign was conducted with the support of "volunteers" from Chechnya.
FRL is a group of Russians who oppose the Kremlin and support Ukraine. Video posted by FRL shows their gunmen entering a building with a Russian flag hanging outside, taking pictures with their flag, and then taking down the Russian flag.
The Siberian Battalion, a pro-Ukrainian militia group participating in the operation with the FRL, said this was the headquarters of the Gorkovsky village administration. On the same day, this force announced that it and the Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC) raised the flag in another village in Belgorod province, Kozinka, but did not say whether they controlled the area or not.
Pro-Ukrainian militia entered the building believed to be the headquarters of the Gorkovsky village administration in Belgorod on March 17. Video: FRL
The Russian Ministry of Defense said the country's army had "blocked all attempts to infiltrate the territory" in the Kozinka village area, but did not mention Gorkovsky village.
Pro-Ukrainian militia groups early last week entered the Russian border with tanks and armored vehicles to attack Kursk and Belgorod provinces. The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that it had repelled the incursions, calling this force "terrorists" and blaming Ukraine.
Kiev denied, saying militia groups operate independently of the government.
On March 12, FRL declared control of Tetkino village in Kursk province. The Russian Ministry of Defense denied the information and posted a video of its soldiers present in Tektinio village to show that the situation here is still normal.
RVC said on March 14 that fighting was still taking place between pro-Ukrainian armed groups and the Russian army inside the country. "Our units have advanced a few kilometers in some directions, in some places they have advanced dozens of kilometers," an RVC commander said.
FRL members at a base near the front line in Donetsk in March. Photo: Reuters
Kyrylo Budanov, head of the General Directorate of Military Intelligence of Ukraine (GUR), said on March 16 that FRL and other militia groups have been fighting in the "hottest spots" in Ukraine since the beginning of the conflict, adding that GUR will tries to support these forces "as much as possible", although still denies having direct contact with them.
A member of the FRL stated that the goal of the militia groups was to “move towards Mosvka”, adding that they chose the time of the operation to coincide with the week of the presidential election in Russia to “express their views” on event.
Preliminary vote counting results announced on March 17 showed that Russian President Vladimir Putin won this year's election and will continue to lead the country for the next 3 years.
Speaking after the victory, the Kremlin boss declared that Russia would never be threatened, adding that the election results would make the country stronger.
Location of Belgorod and Kursk oblasts of Russia. Graphics: RYV
Pham Giang (Follow Newsweek, Ukrainska Pravda, AFP)
