March 2024 western Russia incursion

2024 western Russia incursion
Part of attacks in Russia during the Russian invasion of Ukraine
Date12 March – 7 April 2024
(3 weeks and 5 days)
Location
Belgorod and Kursk Oblasts,[2] Russia
Result

Inconclusive

  • RVC claims incursion until 7 April 2024
Belligerents

 Ukraine[1]

Russian Opposition		  Russia
Commanders and leaders
Maximilian Andronnikov
Denis Kapustin
Vladislav Ammosov
Rustam Azhiev
"Getotac"		 Konstantin Bushuev
Ismail Aguyev[3][4]
Units involved

Territorial Defense Forces

Russian Volunteer Corps

Separate Special Purpose Battalion[9]
Romanian Battlegroup Getica[10]
Supported by:
Main Directorate of Intelligence[11]

Russian Armed Forces

National Guard

Federal Security Service[13]
Strength
Per Russia:
2,500 fighters[14]		 Unknown
Casualties and losses

1 confirmed killed[15]
1 T-64 tank destroyed[16]
1 Mi-8 helicopter shot down[1]

Russian claim:[a]
650+ killed[17]
5 tanks destroyed[17]
4 armored vehicles destroyed[17]

FRL & RVC claim:[b]

  • 651 killed[18]
  • 980 wounded[18]
  • 37 captured[18]
  • 121 pieces of equipment destroyed, 50 pieces disabled[18]
1 civilian wounded[19]

On 12 March 2024, during the Russo-Ukrainian War, Ukrainian-backed armed groups launched a cross-border incursion from Ukraine into Russia. They entered Belgorod and Kursk Oblasts and clashed with the Russian military. At least three groups took part: the Freedom of Russia Legion, Russian Volunteer Corps and Sibir Battalion. They claimed control of at least four settlements in Russia, and many other border settlements remained under contested control. The Russian defense ministry denied this, repeatedly claiming it had beaten back the attackers and forced them to retreat, despite continued fighting.[20] The incursion took place during the 2024 Russian presidential election and was one of several cross-border incursions into Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.

  1. ^ a b "On Cam: Russian Missile Shoots Down Ukrainian Mi-8; Helicopter Heading Towards Belgorod Burns". Hindustan Times. 17 March 2024.
  2. ^ Brooke, James (20 March 2024). "Putin, After Re-Election Hoopla, Faces the Question That Worried the Tsars: How Does One Defend World's Largest Country?". The New York Sun. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  3. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference ISW March 21 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ "Chechen leader reports two new battalions joining troops in Donbass". TASS. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference sibir flag was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ "Claimed areas of control at T'otkine, Kursk region, and Lozova Rudka, Bilhorod region,". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  7. ^ "Map of the territories of the Seversky Territory and Belgorod liberated by the coalition forces". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  8. ^ "Ukraine-backed anti-Kremlin fighters say they are still operating inside Russia". Reuters. 21 March 2024. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  9. ^ "В ичкерийском подразделении заявили о захвате сельской администрации в Белгородской области" (in Russian). 17 March 2024.
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference Getica was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ Cite error: The named reference HUR involvement was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  12. ^ Cite error: The named reference ISW March 15 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  13. ^ Cite error: The named reference ISW March 19 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  14. ^ "Putin, After Re-Election Hoopla, Faces the Question That Worried the Tsars: How Does One Defend World's Largest Country?". The New York Sun. 20 March 2024. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  15. ^ "Погиб российский доброволец Дани Таммам Акель с позывным "Апостол", — ЛСР (видео)". ФОКУС (in Russian). 27 March 2024. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  16. ^ "Ukraine Situation Report: Claims Swirl Around Cross-Border Raids Into Russia". The War Zone. 12 March 2024.
  17. ^ a b c "2 Belgorod Civilians Killed in 'Massive' Border Shelling, Governor Says". The Moscow Times. 20 March 2024. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  18. ^ a b c d Kovtun, Yelyzaveta (21 March 2024). "Legion "Freedom of Russia" captures 37 Russian soldiers during raid". online.ua. Ukrinform. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  19. ^ "Российские "военкоры" сообщили об атаке вооруженных групп на приграничные районы Белгородской и Курской областей Легион "Свобода России" утверждает, что это его бойцы "пересекли границу". ФСБ и Минобороны РФ это отрицают". Meduza.
  20. ^ "Anti-Kremlin fighters launch cross-border attacks into Russia from Ukraine". Reuters. 12 March 2024. Retrieved 12 March 2024.


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