Moscow running scared: Kremlin evacuates nine border villages and admits there is ’cause for serious concern’ as pro-Ukraine fighters capture territory within Russia’s Belgorod region

An anti-Kremlin volunteer fighter is pictured alongside a captured Russian armoured personnel carrier

Two groups of anti-Kremlin Russian troops have launched attacks on Russian soil
Belgorod was hit by drone strikes overnight and several settlements were seized

Russian authorities have ordered residents of nine villages in the Belgorod region bordering Ukraine to evacuate their homes after anti-Putin rebel groups began capturing territory on Russian soil.

The Kremlin’s order comes hours after a pair of explosions rang out in the city of Belgorod overnight amid drone attacks on the FSB security service building and Interior Ministry offices.

Regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov confirmed the aerial bombing raid had caused fires at government buildings and urged citizens to take shelter amid the rebel attacks.

Ukrainian military intelligence said two armed Russian opposition groups, the Freedom of Russia Legion and the Russian Volunteer Corps, were behind the biggest armed incursion into Russian territory since Putin‘s February 24, 2022 invasion of his neighbour – recognised as a ‘serious cause for concern’ by the Kremlin.

The attack was seemingly unexpected, with the rebels able to gain control of several Russian towns in a matter of hours.

Fire engines and emergency services vehicles responded to fires at government buildings in Belgorod following a drone attack (left), while Russian rebels commandeered FSB armoured vehicles (right)