Russian Defense Ministry claims 234 pro-Ukraine fighters killed during border attack

An attempt to break through the border in Russia’s Belgorod and Kursk regions has left 234 Ukraine-aligned fighters dead, the Russian Defense Ministry reported on Tuesday. 

In a statement posted on Telegram, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed that its forces repelled attacks from three different directions as Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance groups tried to cross into Russia in the early hours of March 12.

Though the defense ministry claimed that Russian troops prevented “violations of the state border,” armed formations fighting on behalf of Ukraine — including the Freedom of Russia Legion, the Russian Volunteer Corps, and the Siberian Battalion — claim that the fighting took place on Russian territory. 

The Russian Defense Ministry also claimed that the Ukrainian side lost 234 fighters, as well as seven tanks, three American-made Bradley fighting vehicles, and two armored personnel carriers. Meduza could not independently verify these figures.

Ukrainian officials have yet to comment on the Russian Defense Ministry’s claims.