Kremlin redirects forces to Belgorod as guerrilla warfare escalates
Heavy fighting with guerrilla units is ongoing in the Belgorod Oblast of Russia. The situation there is so dire that the Kremlin decided to deploy some of its forces from the front in Ukraine to counter the attacks in the Belgorod Oblast.
The matter was reported by Ukrinform, which bases its insights on information from an anonymous Kremlin source.
"Attacks on Belgorod compel the Russian Federation to redeploy some of its forces from the frontline," the source stated.
"The war continues," he added, referring to the skirmishes around Belgorod.
Guerrilla warfare intensifies in Russia
For a week, the border regions of the Belgorod Oblast have faced continuous shelling from Ukraine, and have also been raided by diversionary groups comprising Russian volunteers allied with Kyiv - including the "Freedom of Russia" Legion, Siberian Battalion, and Russian Volunteer Corps.
On Tuesday, the authorities of the Belgorod Oblast announced restrictions on entry to the Graivoron area at the border with Ukraine from 20 March onwards. By that time, some residents had already been moved. Checkpoints were established at the entrances to the towns, permitting residents temporary returns to their homes to care for animals.
Additionally, the governor of the oblast, Vyacheslav Gladkov, revealed that around 9,000 children would be evacuated from Belgorod and the surrounding areas near the border.
On Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin assured that "efforts are being made to fortify security in the region." - "There are various approaches. The challenge is formidable, but we will overcome it," he asserted.
Putin also promised to do everything possible to assist those who lost their homes due to the combat in the Belgorod Oblast. And it seems there could be many. The Russian military engaged the saboteurs with what can be described as a traditional Soviet approach, such as in the village of Kozinka, right on the border with Ukraine, where half-tonne aerial bombs, FAB-500s, were deployed against the guerrillas.
Source: Ukrinform/WP News
