[UPDATE-May 24] Ukrainian Saboteurs Cross Into Russia’s Belgorod, Escalation in the Region

Russian governor alarmed as pro-Ukraine militias strike to liberate border region

Russia has been forced to launch a “counter-terror operation” in the southwestern Belgorod region, where a pair of pro-Ukraine militias claim to be “liberat[ing]” border towns from Russian President Vladimir Putin’s rule.

“The situation here is extremely tense,” Vyacheslav Gladkov, the Russian regional governor, said The Moscow Times. “I hope our military will finish the operation shortly and the territory of Belgorod region will be freed from the enemy.”

[UPDATE] Belgorod region, Situation as of May 24, 2023 – 18:00Z