Highlights: The Ukrainian counter-offensive is long overdue, but the temperature is rising. A group of "saboteurs", say the Russian authorities on Monday (May 22nd), appeared in the Russian region of Belgorod. Kiev denies responsibility, but Moscow accuses it. Vladimir Putin has in any case been informed, assures the spokesman of the Kremlin. Five victims are to be deplored for the moment, wounded treated in hospital in a moderate state of gravity, according to the authorities.Like the incursion this time on the Bryansk side at the beginning of March, this operation was claimed by a group that presents itself as the "Freedom Legion for Russia"

Incursion into Russian territory of "saboteurs" from Ukraine

Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman. via REUTERS - SPUTNIK

Text by: Anissa El Jabri Follow

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The Ukrainian counter-offensive is long overdue, but the temperature is rising. A group of "saboteurs", say the Russian authorities on Monday (May 22nd), appeared in the Russian region of Belgorod, bordering Ukraine. Kiev denies responsibility, but Moscow accuses it. Vladimir Putin has in any case been informed, assures the spokesman of the Kremlin.

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With our correspondent in Moscow

Detonations and helicopters flying low over the roofs of houses... On the Russian Telegram channels, national and local, multiplied in the early afternoon Monday small videos taken by the inhabitants of border villages.

The operation against the perpetrators, says Vyacheslav Gladkov, the governor of the Belgorod region, was immediately initiated: "The Russian armed forces, together with the border guards, the National Guard and the security services, are taking all necessary measures to eliminate the enemy.

Five victims are to be deplored for the moment, wounded treated in hospital in a moderate state of gravity, according to the authorities.

Like the incursion this time on the Bryansk side at the beginning of March, this operation was once again claimed by a group that presents itself as the "Freedom Legion for Russia", a group of ultra-nationalist Russians fighting on the Ukrainian side.

For the Kremlin spokesman, this action is obviously sponsored by Kiev. Dmitry Peskov also considers this an attempt to "divert attention" from the fall of Bakhmut. Only in the morning, the Russian media celebrated with emphasis a victory described as historic, contested by Ukraine. This capture of this city in Donbass, unverifiable by independent sources, would represent the first Russian success in more than a year.

>> READ ALSO: The very symbolic handover of Wagner to the Russian regular army in Bakhmut

Incursion into Russian territory of "saboteurs" from Ukraine

Incursion into Russian territory of "saboteurs" from Ukraine

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