On the night of March 16, reports indicate that Ukrainian sabotage teams attempted another incursion into Russian territory, but all attempts were repelled. Official statements attributed the information to the presidential press secretary, with details summarized by the Russian agency in circulation. The essence of the briefing is that the attempted infiltrations occurred in the Belgorod and Kursk regions, and that none of the units managed to reach the Russian border before being neutralized. The spokesman emphasized that the attackers sustained heavy losses in the engagement, with a stated figure suggesting irrecoverable losses of roughly six to seven tens of percent of the intruders, a description presented as part of the reported assessment by the Kremlin’s communications team.
The Ministry of Defense provided a corroborating account for the same date, noting that Ukrainian DRGs were repelled in the Belgorod and Kursk regions. This description aligns with the broader narrative of ongoing control and defense operations along Russia’s western frontiers, where border security forces and regional militaries continuously monitor and respond to perceived threats.
Additionally, the ministry released footage from a drone-enabled capture near Kozinka in the Belgorod region. The released imagery purportedly shows individuals in camouflage moving through rural terrain, advancing toward a village area, and targeting shelters within a residential neighborhood. The clip also purportedly depicts the destruction of saboteurs’ armored vehicles in the vicinity, signaling what the authorities describe as a decisive defensive action by Russian forces during the encounter.
Earlier in the day, authorities stated that an intrusion attempt by saboteurs from the Sumy region had been thwarted. The sequence of events underscores the ongoing focus on border security and rapid response capabilities, with multiple units apparently operating in coordination to prevent any crossing of the border lines and to disrupt any hostile activity before it can affect settled settlements or civilian infrastructure.
Together, these statements and images contribute to a narrative of persistent vigilance and proactive defense along Russia’s western border, with the Russian side portraying the events as successful countermeasures against attempts to destabilize border communities. The official accounts stress the importance of readiness, rapid action, and the monitoring of potential threats in a region that has repeatedly experienced tense encounters and cross-border activity in recent periods, underscoring the readiness of security forces to respond as situations evolve.