Russia Says Troops Defeated Assault in Ukraine Border Area
Soldiers ride on an infantry fighting vehicle toward Bakhmut on May 20.
Photographer: Sergey Shestak/AFP/Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
Russia said it defeated an insurgent group that crossed the border from Ukraine in the most serious fighting on its territory since the start of the war 15 months ago.
Troops backed by artillery and air strikes drove out a “Ukrainian nationalist formation” from Russia’s Belgorod region, killing 70 fighters and destroying four armored vehicles as well as five pickup trucks, Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said in a statement Tuesday.