Ukraine Update: Anti-Putin forces cross the border again for another attack inside Russia

On Thursday, members of the Freedom of Russia Legion and Russian Volunteer Corps, known as RDK, once again crossed the Russian border. This time, the anti-Putin Russian factions attacked a location some 90 kilometers east of the area where they crossed 10 days earlier, reportedly capturing a portion of the village of Novaya Tavolzhanka and engaging the Russian army in the town of Shebekino (pop. 40,000) where Russian government buildings were on fire Thursday afternoon.

This is the third time these groups have crossed the Ukraine-Russia border. However, unlike past incursions—where the Russian opponents of Vladimir Putin moved into areas that were sparsely populated and left soon after coming into contact with Russian forces—this action reportedly involves heavy fighting, including bombing runs by Russian jets. This may not be a matter of dashing in, raising a flag, or stealing a vehicle before piling back across the border. This time there is a reported battle underway on the southern edge of Shebekino.

However, a strong emphasis should be placed on the word “reported.” The claims about what’s happening near Belgorod today range from nothing much at all, to Moscow or bust.