Freedom of Russia Legion and Sibir Battalion claim to have crossed Russian border

Russia (Svidomi) — Russian forces fighting on the side of Ukraine claim to have crossed the Russian border. Russian Telegram channels claim that fighting is taking place in villages in the Kursk and Belgorod regions. Svidomi has not yet been able to confirm this information.

The corresponding videos were published by the Legion.

The fighters say they are "going" to the Russian elections to "free Russians from poverty, fear and the dictatorship of the terrorist organisation that has seized power". They also claim that the dictatorial regime "can only be removed with arms in hand".

The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine states that the units are probably conducting a joint operation.

"The Freedom of Russia Legion and the Sibir Battalion act as independent structures and organisations consisting of Russian citizens and, accordingly, are at home. They carry out their socio-political tasks and programmes," Suspilne quoted the Main Directorate of Intelligence as saying. 

Russian Telegram channels claim that the fighting is taking place in the village of Tyotkino, Kursk region. Allegedly, two people were injured. The Freedom of Russia Legion published a video of the destruction of a Russian armoured personnel carrier in Tyotkino.

Officially, the Russian authorities have not commented on the situation.

The presidential election in Russia will be held on March 17, but voting will last for several days from March 15-17.

Last year, Russian fighters from the Freedom of Russia Legion and the Russian Volunteer Corps also made forays into Russian territory.