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A cross-border attack in Russia’s Belgorod region this week has drawn attention to Russian militias that have been fighting in their own country, as they fight against Ukraine.
The Freedom of Russia Legion and the Russian Volunteer Corps said they were behind the attacks in villages in the western region, about 80 kilometers north of Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv.
The Kremlin described those responsible for the attack as “Ukrainian saboteurs” and claimed to have killed more than 70 members of the two groups combined, also referring to them as “Ukrainian nationalists.”
While they may be united in their anti-Kremlin mission, the factions seem to have different origins and motives.
A group of self-described freedom fighters has seized a small swath of territory in Russia near the Ukrainian border. The Kremlin says the attack was orchestrated by Kyiv, but the link is unclear.
What is the Freedom of Russia Legion?
First appeared in March 2022The Freedom of Russia Legion – sometimes referred to as the Liberty of Russia Legion – is believed to have been formed by former Russian soldiers who defected shortly after Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine.
In a self-described “manifesto” posted on a Telegram channel linked to the group, the legion described itself as opposed to the “tyrannical regime” of Russian President Vladimir Putin, blaming him for turning his country into a “pariah”.
“They have killed and continue to kill free Russians who fight against the dictatorial regime for the right to live freely, continue to kill thousands of civilians and hundreds of children in Ukraine,” the group wrote in a post on Russian social media. in April 2022.
In February, the New York Times profile of the group reported fighting alongside the International Legion for the Defense of Ukrainewhich was formed by the Ukrainian government for foreign citizens “wanting to join the resistance” against Russia.
Some report suggests had 4,000 fighters in the ranks.
On its website, the group says it fought in a “small battle group” last summer, and is now involved in the battle for the eastern city of Bakhmut.
Russian Supreme Court has ruled that Russian Legion of Freedom it is a terrorist organization.
Who is the Russian Volunteer Corps?
The International Legion for the Defense of Ukraine says it has no ties to the Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC), a militia group formed in August 2022.
US based Anti Defamation League (ADL)which monitors extremism, described RVC leader Denis Kapustin, also known as Denis Nikitin, as a Russian neo-Nazi “who lived in Germany for many years” and trained young right-wing extremists with the German National Democratic Party.
It was also reported that Kapustin had ties to a group of football hooligans in Germany.
Speaking to reporters this week, Kapustin described the RVC as a “right-wing, conservative, military, semi-political organization,” saying it is fighting Putin and the state apparatus.
The Belgorod attack may not have been the first. The group claims to have entered the Bryansk region, which borders Ukraine and Belarus, in March and April.
The Minister of the Interior of Russia put Kapustin on the wanted list in March.
“I think you’ll see that side again,” Kapustin said said Wednesdayintroduced himself to the reporter by him The name of war “White Rex,” which is also the name of brand of mixed martial arts he stood in 2008.
“Our future plan is the new territory of the Russian Federation, which we will definitely enter.… You have to be patient and wait a few days,” said Kapustin.
Did Ukraine or the US support the attack?
Ukraine insisted it was not involved in the raid, only saying that Russia was involved.
“Ukraine is watching events in Russia’s Belgorod region with interest and studying the situation, but it has nothing to do with it,” said Advisor to the president of Ukraine Mykhaylo Podoliak.
The White House said that investigate claims US-issued equipment can be used in operations.
Kapustin told reporters that RVC fighters had been using US-made armored vehicles, and a video verified by Reuters appeared to back it up.
The Pentagon said it does not “approve the transfer of third-party equipment to paramilitary organizations.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has wrapped up a whirlwind European tour where he secured more military aid ahead of an expected spring counter-offensive. Britain has promised to help create a Western ‘coalition jet,’ but has ruled out sending itself.
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