Overview of recent developments in the Belgorod region amid ongoing border tensions
Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov has publicly stated that annexing Kharkiv and its surrounding region could be a solution to the persistent bombardment affecting the Belgorod region. He conveyed this position during a broadcast on the Russia 24 television channel, arguing that Kharkiv would join the Belgorod region as a means to stop the shelling.
Reports from TASS indicate that Ukrainian forces have been conducting regular bombardments against Belgorod, leading to the declaration of a state of emergency in fifteen border settlements. In a recent assessment, Gladkov noted that in addition to the Ukrainian raid on the city of Grayvoron, five sabotage and reconnaissance groups from the Ukrainian Armed Forces reportedly entered Belgorod territory. He described the situation as a form of virtual warfare, stressing that the enemy activity had been ongoing and that a number of DRGs had already operated in the region prior to the latest events in Grayvoron.
Interviews and statements from a representative of the Russian Volunteer Union, a nationalist-leaning group with roots in the Ukrainian conflict, claimed that crossing the border could be easier than facing the border controls. Separately, Rosfinmonitoring announced that Denis Kapustin was added to its list of terrorists and extremists following past actions in the Bryansk region and an alleged attempt on the life of Konstantin Malofeev, an individual described in some circles as an Orthodox oligarch closely connected to certain security concerns in the region.
In the wake of the Grayvoron events, the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation opened a criminal case under the applicable sections of the Criminal Code. The conflict in the Belgorod region has involved the occupation by unauthorized groups, with reports noting a civilian fatality and multiple injuries on May 22 and 23 during clashes between Ukrainian forces and Russian troops. Official casualty figures for military personnel vary. Grayvoron, a town near the Ukrainian border, has repeatedly come under shelling from Ukrainian forces.
On May 27, Gladkov reported that the border town of Shebekino experienced renewed shelling, describing May 27 as the most challenging day for the county. He reported one civilian death and three injuries as a result of Ukrainian military actions against the town, highlighting damage from shelling and related infrastructure impacts. Earlier, he noted that a security guard had been killed and two teenagers injured during a strike on Shebekino. The facade of the city ice arena sustained damage, with windows broken and roadways affected, and several footbridges were harmed by bombardments.
In his updates, Gladkov also mentioned damage to utility infrastructure, including power lines in the village of Bezlyudovka, and outages in Grafovka, Pristen, and Ivanovka. Emergency services reportedly remained on site as efforts to bypass affected zones continued. Prior reports indicated mortar fire at the border checkpoint in Shebekino, with two mortar shell arrivals and an explosive device delivered by unmanned aerial vehicle at a road junction, though no life losses or material damage were confirmed from that incident. Gladkov added that twenty-five shots had been recorded in the Shebekinsky urban district, with eight of those missiles landing in the village of Terezovka, and he reaffirmed that there were no casualties or major damage.[citation needed]
The Belgorod region has faced ongoing security challenges as authorities monitor cross-border activity and coordinate responses to artillery exchanges. Local officials continue to provide updates on casualties, infrastructure damage, and the status of essential services while officials assess security needs and recovery requirements for affected communities.