Russia Continues 'Counter-Terrorism Operation' In Belgorod After Cross-Border Incursions From Ukraine

Russia on Tuesday said the forces continued with a "counter-terrorism operation" in a border district of Belgorod just a day after one of the biggest cross-border incursions from Ukraine.

Russia's regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said it was battling an incursion from Ukraine's side of the border as infiltrators were trying to enter the Belgorod region.

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Russia on Tuesday continued with a "counter-terrorism operation" in a border district of Belgorod just a day after one of the biggest cross-border incursions from Ukraine ever since Russia's invasion of Ukraine about fifteen months ago, a regional governor said. On Monday, Russia said it was battling an incursion from Ukraine's side of the border as infiltrators were trying to enter the Belgorod region. However, a Ukrainian presidential adviser said the government in Kyiv was monitoring the development and said they "have nothing to do with the incursions."

The Belgorod regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said a "counter-terrorism operation" was on in the region, as reported by Reuters.

Gladkov said, as quoted by Reuters, "The cleaning of the territory by the Ministry of Defence together with law enforcement agencies continues."

However, the Ukrainian outlet Hromadske cited Ukrainian military intelligence to hold Russians responsible for the attack.

It said two armed Russian opposition groups including the Liberty of Russia Legion and the Russian Volunteer Corps, both consisting of Russian citizens, were responsible for the attack in the region, reported Reuters.

Gladkov on Monday said at least eight people had been wounded, several buildings damaged and many residents had left in the incident. He further said he had already restricted movements and communications in the area.

According to Reuters, Gladkov said two buildings were attacked by drones overnight. And this made it difficult for people to return to their homes.

"I now appeal to the residents of the Graivoron district, who ... temporarily left their homes, it is not possible to return yet," said Gladkov, as quoted by Reuters.

He further said one woman died during the evacuation on Monday in this region.

Amid this, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russian President Vladimir Putin had been informed about the current situation.

The Kremlin said the incursion by a "Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance group" was aimed at distracting attention from the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut. 

This comes after Russian forces say they captured Bakhmut in its entirety after more than nine months of fighting. Russia had launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February last year.