KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian authorities say a Ukrainian military force raided Russia’s Kursk region on Tuesday but was repelled by troops and local border guards.
The Russian Defense Ministry reported that some 300 Ukrainian troops, supported by 11 tanks and more than 20 armored vehicles, attacked Russian border positions in the Nikolayevo-Daryino and Oleshnya areas of the Kursk region.
It was claimed that six Ukrainian tanks, four armored personnel carriers and six other armored vehicles were destroyed in the battle.
The Russian report could not be independently verified. Disinformation and propaganda have played a central role in the war, which has now lasted three years.
Responsibility for previous raids in the Russian regions of Belgorod and Bryanskhave been claimed by two shadowy groups: the Russian Volunteer Corps and the Legion of Freedom of Russia.
The Russian statement claimed that the Ukrainian troops belonged to the army’s 22nd Mechanized Brigade, but also referred to them as “fighters” rather than “soldiers.”
When contacted by The Associated Press, the brigade said it had no comment. The Freedom of Russia Legion also said it had no comment.
The Ukrainian General Staff and the Defense Ministry did not immediately respond to questions.
Kursk region acting governor Alexei Smirnov said a total of 26 Ukrainian drones were shot down in the region overnight.
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