Ukraine Announces Major Counterattack, Attacks Russian Mainland Border... Putin Says "Must Be Stopped" (Comprehensive)

As Ukraine has announced a counteroffensive, shelling and drone attacks have occurred in western and southwestern Russia, which share a border with Ukraine. The offensive appears to be gradually intensifying, including attacks on Russian-occupied territories in southern Ukraine. In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated, "We must absolutely prevent any attempts to shake Russia."

According to Sputnik News on the 2nd (local time), Vyacheslav Gladkov, governor of Belgorod, said on Telegram that "shells fell on the Maslova Pristan road in the Shebekino area," adding, "shrapnel covered vehicles, killing two women on the spot." Two others in another vehicle were seriously injured by shrapnel wounds to the chest and lower body and were transported to a nearby hospital. Belgorod Oblast borders northeastern Ukraine and is used as a route for Russian military invasions.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Attacks continued in other border areas as well. In Bryansk Oblast, several houses were damaged by shelling in the morning. In Smolensk Oblast, which borders Belgorod, two drones attacked fuel and energy facilities around 3 a.m. that day.

In Kaluga Oblast, located southwest of Moscow, an explosion from an unidentified object presumed to be a drone occurred around 6:45 a.m. that day.

Russian-occupied territories in southern Ukraine were also attacked. Zaporizhzhia authorities reported that a hospital ward in the Rozovka area was shelled around 11 a.m. that day. A local official stated, "We are currently assessing casualties and damage." The previous day, one person was killed and another injured due to shelling in the Rozovka area.

On the same day, the Russian opposition group Russian Freedom Legion announced via Telegram that they had been engaged in combat with Russian forces in Belgorod for the second consecutive day. This group claimed to have infiltrated Belgorod Oblast and fought Russian forces on the 22nd and 23rd of last month. Regarding civilian casualties in Belgorod that day, they claimed, "The enemy mistakenly destroyed a civilian vehicle, confusing it for one of ours."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

At the regular National Security Council meeting that day, Russian President Putin emphasized, "There are increasing attempts by malicious actors to shake Russia," adding, "We must do everything to ensure they cannot carry out such acts under any circumstances."

As Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced a counteroffensive, such clashes are on the rise. On the 29th of last month, President Zelenskyy confirmed the start date of the counteroffensive.