Fourteen Russian service members were killed in a sabotage and reconnaissance group’s attack on the Belgorod region in early June, Pskov region Governor Mikhail Vedernikov revealed.
“They are true heroes, they did not falter in a difficult hour when they were outnumbered by enemy forces. They held on and proved that the victory will be ours, no matter how difficult it gets,” the official noted.
He added that the funerals took place last and earlier this week.
At least 10 Russian soldiers were taken captive in the raid. “The Ukrainian propaganda and their accomplices in the ranks of traitorous armed groups showed them,” Vedernikov said, adding that the authorities had done everything possible to speed up the prisoner swap talks. The governor noted that three service members had already been exchanged.
On 1 June, the Russian Volunteer Corps and the Freedom of Russia Legion announced that they had undertaken a raid into Russia’s Belgorod region. The Russian Defence Ministry said that Russian forces managed to repel the incursion of Ukrainian troops that were trying to break into the Belgorod region from three different sides.
