Russian authorities acknowledge casualties in Belgorod region: 14 troops killed by pro-Ukrainian militias, Pskov governor first to admit

Pskov Governor Mikhail Vedernikov has posted a video on his social media, acknowledging previously undisclosed military casualties in Russia’s Belgorod region. Speaking of the armed incursion of pro-Ukrainian militias that took place in early June, Vedernikov admitted that at least 14 Russian servicemen had been killed during the event.

“The funerals took place last week and this week as well. Regrettably, these won’t be the last of the burials,” the official said.

Vedernikov also acknowledged that at least 10 Russian servicemen had been captured by “pseudo-Russian terrorist organizations,” as he described the pro-Ukrainian Russian Volunteer Corps and Freedom of Russia Legion. According to the Pskov governor, three of the captives have since been released.

Vedernikov is the first Russian official to admit that the June incursion resulted in real casualties.

Russian Volunteer Corps and Freedom of Russia Legion claim to be conducting regular raids in the Belgorod region. In early June, they announced having taken control of Novaya Tavolzhanka, a village in the region’s Shebekino district. On June 5, Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov reported that the authorities couldn’t enter Novaya Tavolzhanka. The next day, however, he claimed the area was “clear” of the adversary, even as Russian Volunteer Corps disputed his statement.