The Russian Ministry of Defense released a telegraph channel statement detailing how units along the state border under the Western Military District, together with the border service of the Federal Security Service, identified an attempted crossing by a Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance group near the Novaya Tavolzhanka area in Belgorod region. The account emphasizes that border guards monitored the river approach and perceived signs of a planned incursion aimed at breaching the frontier in that locality.
According to the report, dated June 4, authorities observed a coordinated attempt by a sabotage and reconnaissance detachment described as Ukrainian terrorists to cross the river close to the settlement of Novaya Tavolzhanka. The description notes the presence of specialized units and the use of riverine terrain to facilitate infiltration as part of broader security challenges along the Belgorod border. The incident underscores the persistent risk faced by border security forces in this region and their ongoing vigilance against such incursions.
The statement adds that Russian artillery engaged the assaulting forces, causing dispersion and a retreat on the field. Military observers describe the response as rapid and targeted, aimed at nullifying the immediate threat while limiting collateral impact on nearby communities. The exchange reportedly concluded with the saboteur group withdrawing from the immediate area after the artillery action, reinforcing the border troops’ readiness to counter border threats as they arise.
Vyacheslav Gladkov, the former head of Belgorod region, has commented on the ongoing clashes with Ukrainian saboteurs in Novaya Tavolzhanka and surrounding settlements. He has previously reported Ukrainian strikes on other localities within the Belgorod area, including Shebekino, Murom, and Novaya Tavolzhanka. Reports describe damage to a local market, a cultural center, and two residential buildings that residents had already vacated due to prior tensions. No fatalities were reported in the incidents described, and authorities have cautioned residents to remain vigilant and prepared to relocate if advised. The latest developments illustrate the dynamic security situation along the border and the continuing impact on daily life in nearby towns and villages.
In the broader context, officials reaffirm the importance of coordinated actions between border guards and security agencies to deter cross-border incursions and to promptly respond to any attempts at destabilizing activities. The Belgorod region has repeatedly faced spillover effects from the broader conflict, prompting ongoing measures to strengthen perimeter control, civilian warning systems, and regional emergency protocols. Citizens are encouraged to follow official guidance, stay informed through verified channels, and report any suspicious activity to local authorities. The events in Novaya Tavolzhanka and adjacent areas are part of a larger, evolving security picture that continues to shape life along the border for communities in Belgorod and neighboring regions.