Russia Claims 70 Ukrainian Troops Neutralized Following Attempted Belgorod Invasion

Russian forces claimed to have inflicted losses on Ukrainian military units in the Sumy region, including over 70 personnel, as Ukraine allegedly attempted to advance toward Russia’s Belgorod region.

Russia’s Defense Ministry reported that the Sever group targeted a heavy mechanized brigade, two airborne assault brigades, and two assault regiments of Ukraine’s armed forces near Maryino, Petrushevka, and Ugroedy in Sumy. Moscow stated that Ukrainian forces lost three tanks, two infantry fighting vehicles, 11 armored combat vehicles, three engineering obstacle clearance vehicles, seven cars, and four artillery pieces.

The ministry also stated that Ukrainian forces deployed around 200 soldiers, five tanks, 16 armored combat vehicles, and three demolition vehicles in the attack on Belgorod but were repelled in five separate assaults. It emphasized that no Ukrainian troops crossed the Russian border.

Ukraine has not issued a statement regarding the reported operation. Russia has previously accused Ukraine of incursions into its border regions, including in Kursk, where hostilities have continued since August.