Pro-Kyiv Russian volunteer operation in Belgorod and Kursk oblasts pre-empts new offensive by Russian army

A raid by Russian volunteers in the Belgorod and Kursk oblasts thwarted a new offensive by the Russian army, Aleksey Baranovsky, a representative of the Freedom of Russia Legion, said at a press conference on March 21.

Russian invasion forces wanted to carry out a new offensive ahead of the "elections of the President of the Russian Federation".

"Our operation disrupted these plans," said Baranovsky.

“In a military sense, they were forced to transfer significant forces from near Kupyansk to hold the Belgorod and Kursk oblasts. In fact, we foiled the offensive plans of the Russian army.”

Read also: Russian Volunteer Corps claims capture of 25 soldiers in Belgorod and Kursk raids

The raid of Russian volunteers in the Belgorod and Kursk oblasts helped the Armed Forces stabilize the front, the FRL representative stated.

"We diverted the tactical aviation, it carried out more than 320 airstrikes, all the bombs landed on the territory of Russia," Baranovsky said.

“Thanks to our operation, the Ukrainian Armed Forces were able to stabilize the front and cover areas where a massive Russian attack was expected.”

According to his data, the Russian army irretrievably lost 651 soldiers, another 908 were injured, and 37 troops were captured.

The pro-Ukrainian insurgents also destroyed 121 units of enemy equipment, and disabled another 50.

Raid of pro-Ukrainian volunteers in the Russian Federation - what is known

Russian volunteers from the Freedom of Russia Legion, the Russian Volunteer Corps (RDK), and the Siberian Battalion announced a new operation in Russia’s Belgorod Oblast on March 12.

The RDK announced an advance of several dozens of kilometers and the capture of prisoners. The Kremlin acknowledged casualties among the soldiers of the Russian army.

Russian rebels attacked the FSB building in the city of Belgorod on March 13.

Russian volunteers also claimed that they control the settlement of Tiotkino, Kursk Oblast. Later, they said that the village was in a gray area. The FRL announced on March 14 that they had destroyed two ammunition depots in Tiotkino.

The Freedom of Russia Legion called its main mission to reach Moscow.

Read also: Putin threatens 'response' to Ukraine’s incursion into Belgorod and Kursk oblasts

Local authorities reported on March 16 that shopping centers will be closed for a few days and classes will be suspended in schools in Belgorod and nearby settlements.

The fighters of the Siberian Battalion called on the residents of Belgorod to temporarily leave the city due to the threat of artillery fire on Russian military facilities.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine