Russian rebels seize territory amid election tensions and opposition
Russian volunteers, collaborating with Kyiv's support, declared on Sunday their capture of a town in Belgorod Oblast, Russia. Additionally, control of another village by Russian insurgents has now been reported. Vladimir Putin's forces are facing difficulties with this rebel onslaught.
2:33 PM EDT, March 17, 2024
Sunday marks the final day of Russia's presidential election, occurring two years after the Kremlin's invasion of Ukraine and a month following the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny in prison. Changes in the constitution that eliminate presidential term limits preceded the voting, favouring Vladimir Putin.
In Russia, aside from the presidential election, there is significant opposition to Vladimir Putin's regime. Recently, rebels targeted the Belgorod Oblast.
The "Siberian Battalion" of Russian volunteers, advocating for Ukraine, seized the administrative building in Gorkovsky, Belgorod Oblast. Their battlefield successes don't stop there as they continue to advance.
The Russian Liberty Legion has confirmed that volunteers have taken control of the village of Gorkovsky in Belgorod Oblast, marking another victory in their ongoing offensive.
However, these volunteer reports are not corroborated by official Russian media. TASS cites the Russian Ministry of Defense's assertion that "all border breach attempts in the Belgorod Oblast have been thwarted."
Furthermore, according to military statements, the border towns from which Russian volunteers have launched attacks on Kozinka in Russia's Belgorod Oblast since Tuesday have experienced intense bombardment by Putin's forces.
It's worth mentioning that units of the Russian Liberty Legion and the Siberian Battalion, referred to as Russian partisans, initially ventured into Russia's Belgorod and Kursk Oblasts on March 12.
Are Russians growing weary of Vladimir Putin?
Interestingly, on Sunday, March 17, substantial queues of citizens, presumably voting against the regime, formed outside polling stations. Social media is ablaze with videos from these locations and images of ballots inscribed with disparaging remarks aimed at the dictator.
