Ukraine war: leader of cross-border raid warns Russia to expect more incursions
- Moscow says it routed militants in the Belgorod region, but Russian Volunteer Corps commander Denis Kapustin says his side suffered only light casualties
- He added that his fighters had taken a Russian armoured vehicle and anti-drone gun as trophies
The Russian commander of a militia that conducted a raid on a Russian border region this week said on Wednesday his group would soon launch more incursions into Russian territory.
Denis Kapustin, who described himself as the commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC), spoke to reporters on the Ukrainian side of the border with Russia a day after Moscow said it had repelled the raid on the Belgorod region.
Kyiv has said the attack was carried out by Russian citizens, casting it as home-grown, internal Russian strife. Two groups operating in Ukraine – the Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC) and Freedom of Russia Legion – have claimed responsibility.
The Russian military said it had routed the militants, who carried out their attack using armoured vehicles, and pushed those who survived back into Ukraine.
Kapustin said two of his fighters had been “lightly wounded”, and that total losses on his side for the operation were two killed and 10 wounded. Moscow claimed it killed over 70 “Ukrainian nationalists”.