Pro-Ukraine fighters are believed to have used US-made armoured vehicles in one of the biggest incursions across the Russian border, according to pictures and videos verified by New York Times.
At least three US-made MRAPs (Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles) were used in the attacks in Russia’s Belgorod oblast, with two of those captured by Russian forces, the report said.
One civilian was killed following the attacks by two purported anti-Kremlin armed groups employing Russians based abroad.
Meanwhile, Vyacheslav Gladkov, governor of the Belgorod region, said they have begun evacuation from nine Russian villages in the Belgorod region as a counter-terrorism operation continued in full force.
“Do not yet return to your homes,” he told local residents who had been evacuated on Monday.
The US State Department denied that it would “encourage or enable strikes inside of Russia” but said, “it is up to Ukraine to decide how to conduct this war”.
Russia has said its forces crushed the attack, killing more than 70 “Ukrainian nationalists” and pushing the remainder back into Ukraine.
