Russia says it has prevented an attempted Ukrainian “invasion” with tanks, planes and soldiers

The Russian army said on Thursday that it had used aviation and artillery to push back a Attempted Ukrainian “invasion” in the Belgorod border region, inside southwest of the country, with tanks and soldiers.

“Around 03:00 (0000 GMT), Ukrainian units consisting of up to two companies of motorized infantry, reinforced with tanks, attempted to invade” the territory, the Russian Defense Ministry warned on Telegram. Used fly aircraft and artillery to prevent Ukrainian troops from entering Russia, he added.

Shortly before the attempt, the region suffered “intense bombing of civilian installations”. The Belgorod border region has suffered several raids and bombings in recent weeks.

The Russian Defense Ministry specified that “three attacks carried out by Ukrainian terrorist groups were repelled thanks to the dedication of the Russian army”.

The soldiers were supported by air force, which carried out 11 attacks, and artillery, which launched 79, according to the ministry’s statement.

This was reported by the governor of Belgorod Viacheslav Gladkov “Continuous bombing” by Ukraine in the areaeven with the destructive Grad multiple rocket launchers.

The bombings targeted the city of Shebekino, with 40,000 inhabitants and located about 10 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. The attacks left around ten injured and damaged several buildings.

There were also attacks in the village of Novopetrovka, which injured two teachers of a local school.

Videos on social networks showed several buildings on fire.

According to Gladkov “the enemy did not penetrate the territory of the Belgorod region”. The governor denied the information released in the morning by some Telegram channels according to which Ukrainian forces would have made an “advance” in the region.

“The situation in Shebekino is difficult at the moment, there is shelling, you can hear the clashes. Russian troops are doing their job, but there is no advancement by Ukrainian forces,” they said from a crisis command set up in the region by the authorities. .

Bombings and raids have increased in recent weeks in Russia. Ukraine has said for weeks that it has prepared a major counter-offensive aimed at pushing Russian forces back from the territories it occupies in their country.

An armed incursion of men from Ukraine was recorded in this region last week. Since then, according to local authorities, various areas of Belgorod have been hit by heavy artillery and mortar fire, as well as drone strikes.

At least 3 dead in a new Russian attack on Kiev

Meanwhile, at least three people were killed in a new round of Russian rocket attacks on Kiev on Thursday, including a 9-year-old girl and her mother, according to Ukrainian authorities.

The Ukrainian air force intercepted 10 ballistic and cruise missiles launched by Kremlin forces, although the falling debris caused damage and casualties, according to authorities, who also reported 16 injuries.

Russia has stepped up attacks on the Ukrainian capital and other parts of the country in recent weeks. The Ukrainian capital alone suffered 17 drone and missile attacks last month.

Authorities said Thursday’s attack used short-range ground-launched Iskander missiles and announced the cancellation of events in Kiev to mark International Children’s Day.