The Ukrainian Verdun
TownhallMar 03
Ukraine-Based Russian Opposition Groups Attempt to Invade Belgorod
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The Facts
Three Ukraine-based Russian rebel groups say they've entered Russia's Belgorod and Kursk regions to help fight Russia. The groups are the Freedom of Russia Legion (FRL), the Siberian Battalion (SB), and the Russian Volunteer Corps (RDK).
Referring to them as Ukrainian "sabotage groups" Russian official media reported that border guards stopped multiple attempts to invade Belgorod beginning Mar. 10. Then, at around 3 a.m. Moscow time on Mar. 12, they tried to enter three locations simultaneously — Odnorobovka, Nekhoteyevka, and Spodaryushino.
The Spin
Anti-Russia narrative
Not only have these freedom fighters bravely entered Russian territory, but they've also taken control of multiple border towns, including Tettkino and Lozovaya Rudka. This attack has been more than successful, forcing Putin's forces to flee and leave behind heavy military equipment.
Pro-Russia narrative
These were not rogue Russian opposition groups but rather members of the Ukrainian military supported by Ukrainian tanks and armored vehicles. Despite this being a fully-stocked military operation, Russian forces were able to deter each and every one of these invasions, taking out dozens of Ukrainian soldiers and their vehicles.
