Russia says it repelled attempted Ukrainian cross-border incursion
Russia’s defense ministry reported that it prevented a Ukrainian attempt to attack the Belgorod region of Russia, involving up to 30 soldiers landing near the village of Kozinka using helicopters. Ukrainian officials claimed that anti-Kremlin Russian armed groups based in Ukraine were attacking two Russian border provinces, Belgorod and Kursk. The Belgorod regional governor reported two deaths and significant damage in Kozinka. Concurrently, Russia commenced a three-day presidential election expected to secure President Vladimir Putin another six-year term. The Belgorod region has been targeted by attacks from Ukraine since 2022, with Ukrainian forces having temporarily seized an area near the border, including Kozinka, in May 2023.