Earlier the same day, Russian anti-Kremlin militias warned Belgorod residents that a "massive strike will be carried out against military facilities and Russian military positions" in the city at 5 p.m. local time.
In a video published on Telegram early on March 16, the Russian Volunteer Corps's commander Denys Nikitin, also known by his nom de guerre "White Rex," talks to a man introduced as captured Russian senior lieutenant Alexei Volkov.
Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov claimed that a man and a woman had been killed in the strikes, and that three others had been injured and sent to the hospital.
The Kremlin may either allocate extra barricades and border security forces to deflect criticism, or choose to keep the majority of military equipment and personnel in Ukraine to conserve resources.
The Freedom of Russia Legion, the Siberian Battalion, and the Russian Volunteer Corps published the appeal on their Telegram channels in today's evening, promising to maintain a humanitarian corridor from 9 p.m. on March 14 until 7 a.m. on March 15.
Belgorod Oblast Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov claimed at around 5:30 p.m. local time on March 14 that the air defense system over the city of Belgorod was operating, marking the third report of a strike on the city since that morning.
The Russian National Guard claimed it was repelling an attack near the village of Tyotkino in Kursk Oblast allegedly carried out by “sabotage groups” on March 14.
Key developments on March 13: * EU ambassadors approve $5.5 billion for defense fund for Ukraine in 2024 * Russian anti-Kremlin militias tell Russian citizens near Ukrainian border to evacuate * Russian oil refinery partially shuts down after drone attack * Media: Ukrainian drones attack 3 oil refineries in Russia, airfield in Voronezh
Fighting between anti-Kremlin militias and the Russian army is taking place in five settlements near the Ukrainian border, Oleksii Baranovskyi, a fighter with the Freedom of Russia Legion, said on air on March 13.
Putin claimed the goal of the reported breakthrough was "to get a trump card for the exchange of territories in possible negotiations" and to create an "information effect."
"The shelling of Ukraine from the territory of Belgorod must stop!" the joint statement said. The militias said they have been "forced" to fire upon Russian military positions in the area.
The Russian Defense Ministry reported on March 12 that Moscow's military and security forces killed 234 combatants while thwarting a border incursion it blames on Ukraine.
A Ukrainian drone hit the Russian city of Belgorod's administration building on March 12, injuring two people, Belgorod Oblast Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov claimed.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Russian air defense shot down two drones over Moscow Oblast, one over Leningrad Oblast, seven over Belgorod Oblast, 11 over Kursk Oblast, one over Bryansk Oblast, one over Tula Oblast, and two over Oryol Oblast.
A drone strike on the city of Taganrog in Rostov Oblast allegedly damaged the Beriev Aircraft Company plant in Taganrog, the Russian Telegram channel Astra said.
Vyacheslav Gladkov, Belgorod Oblast governor, claimed an emergency in the Gubkinsky district of the Russian region, writing about an explosion and fire at an infrastructure facility.
The Pantsir S-1 anti-aircraft missile system was damaged as a result of the attack in Russia’s Belgorod Oblast on Feb. 29, Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR) said, without specifying who had carried out the strike.
Russia claimed its air defenses shot down one drone over Belgorod Oblast and three more over Nizhny Novgorod Oblast overnight on March 1, the BBC's Russia Service reported, citing Russia's Defense Ministry.
The Russian Defense Ministry reported that two drones were shot down over Belgorod Oblast and four were intercepted over the Black Sea.
Russian air defense allegedly shot down 14 rockets over Belgorod at around 12:30 p.m. local time, Russia's Defense Ministry claimed on Feb. 15.
Roman Starovoyt, governor of Russia’s Kursk region, claimed on Aug. 13 that “shells coming from Ukraine” had hit a house in the village of Volfino, injuring three people.
Episode #9 of our weekly video podcast “This Week in Ukraine” is dedicated to the incursion into Belgorod Oblast in Russia by Russian volunteer units fighting on the side of Ukraine.
