Ukraine-allied 'Freedom of Russia' Legion clashes with Russian troops in unprecedented western Russia attack
The Belgorod Region, set in the western part of Russia on the border with Ukraine, was the site of the clash. Details provided by independent Russian portal Meduza state that the confrontation occurred on Sunday, December 17. Russian authorities and other independent media were cited for these details.
The Base, an anti-Kremlin channel on the Telegram platform, publicized that a combat situation erupted between Russian units and a so-called "Ukrainian diversionary group." The conflict emerged around 4 a.m. Eastern Time in Terebrieno, a village on the border with Ukraine.
The small village, with approximately 200 residents, stayed in place during the conflict - while the inhabitants took it upon themselves to find shelter.
Corroborations of these details came from Vyacheslav Gladkov, the governor of the Belgorod region. "The village of Terebrieno in the Krasnoyarsk region experienced artillery fire from the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Preliminary information indicates a skirmish on the outskirts of the village involving firearms. Relevant institutions have taken control of the situation," he updated on his Telegram profile.
He also reported that multiple villages in the area suffered from disruptions to their power lines. "Emergency response and operational services will begin damage repair after coordination with the Russian Federation Ministry of Defense," he disclosed.
Invaders strike on Russian territory. Their identities have been revealed
Belsat reports that the "Freedom of Russia" Legion, allied with Ukraine, claimed responsibility for initiating the attack in the Belgorod Region.
We report that: the assault groups of the Legion have accomplished all their assigned missions and have successfully retreated back to Ukrainian territory - according to the Russian factions fighting against government forces.
"On December 17, "Freedom of Russia" Legion's assault groups infiltrated the Belgorod region of the Russian Federation, incapacitating Russian military units of Putin's forces near the village of Terebrieno. They carried out their assignments and have since retreated," the Telegram channel stated in a recent post.
This information was additionally validated by the Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR).
Further reading: Putin articulates future strategies. Expressed a disinterest in engaging in war with NATO countries.
