The governor of Russia’s Belgorod region said on Monday that a “sabotage group” of the Ukrainian army had infiltrated Russian territory in the city of Graivoron, which borders Ukraine, Reuters reports. Ukrainian military intelligence services say the Russians are behind the attack, and Russian President Vladimir Putin has been informed.

Russia claims that Ukrainian troops attacked villages in the Belgorod regionPhoto: Not provided / WillWest News / Profimedia

In a statement on Telegram, Vyacheslav Gladkov said that the Russian army, border guards, the presidential guard and the FSB are taking measures to repel the invasion of “saboteurs”.

According to him, none of the civilians were injured and evacuation is not being carried out.

Kremlin spokesman Dmytro Peskov said that Russian President Vladimir Putin had been informed about the invasion and that work was underway to expel the “saboteurs”, the state news agency RIA Novosti reported.

Previously, the Russian publication Baza, associated with the Russian special services, published footage showing Ukrainian armored vehicles advancing towards the Grayvoron checkpoint.

The publication refers to signs of fighting in three cities on the main road leading from Ukraine to Russia.

The “Open Belhorod” Telegram channel reported that electricity and water had been cut off in several villages.

Ukrainian mass media, citing Ukrainian military intelligence, claim that the “Russian Legion of Freedom” and “Russian Volunteer Corps”, which are made up of Russian citizens, are behind the attack.

A group called the Russian Freedom Legion, which says it is planning attacks inside Russia, said on Twitter it had “completely liberated” the border town of Kozinka, and its advanced units had reached the center of the Graivoron district further east.

“Move. Russia will be free!” – wrote in the “Russian Legion of Freedom”.

Earlier on Monday, the group published a video with five armed fighters: “We are Russians, just like you. We are people just like you. We want our children to grow up in peace,” one of them said to the camera.

“It’s time to end the Kremlin’s dictatorship.”

Reuters could not verify the information, and the Ukrainian military was not available for comment.

Follow the latest events of the 453rd day of the war in Ukraine LIVETEXT on HOTNEWS.RO.