'TV is lying': Expert on key mission of volunteer troops in breaking through Russia's border
Key mission of volunteer troops in breaking through Russia's border (Getty Images)
Expecting a profound change in the situation due to the battles in the border regions of Russia carried out by Russian volunteers is unwarranted. It is most likely an information-power move, demonstrating that the picture painted by Russian propagandists differs from the reality experienced by Russians, according to military expert and former spokesman for the General Staff, Vladyslav Seleznov.
"Considering that we are talking about a total number of servicemen in the range of 50 individuals, perhaps slightly more, which is an assessment given by some Russian media, but I believe they are somewhat correct. Such a quantity will definitely not be decisive for a radical change in the situation on the Russian-Ukrainian border. Most likely, it is an information-power move," the expert told RBC-Ukraine.
He reminded that similar operations have happened before, particularly in the territories of the Kursk and Bryansk regions, when soldiers of the Russian Volunteer Corps and the Freedom of Russia Legion were active. Now, they have been joined by servicemen from the Siberian Battalion.
"The key mission is to demonstrate to the Russian population that armed resistance to the Putin regime is entirely possible and real, and it is effective. Especially when, during the preparations for Putin's presidential elections, Russian propagandists are claiming that 'Russia is a safe country' and that 'everything is safe, sound, and prosperous'," Seleznov believes.
He said that through these actions, the volunteers demonstrate that there is a different opinion and assessment of the situation, including one related to armed resistance.
"The Russian army is suffering losses. At least one armored personnel carrier has turned into a pile of burnt metal. And this is very important because the local residents understand that Russian television lies. It tells one thing, while Russians see a different picture in real life. So, I think that such levels of information-power operations will continue," concluded the interlocutor.
Border breakthrough in Russia
Today, on March 12, the Russian Volunteer Corps, which is fighting on the side of Ukraine, along with the Freedom of Russia Legion and the Siberian Battalion, entered the territory of the Russian Kursk and Belgorod regions. Battles ensued, and the volunteer troops managed to destroy enemy armored personnel carriers.
As the volunteer soldiers themselves explain, they are working towards overthrowing the dictatorship of Vladimir Putin, who once again plans to re-elect himself during the so-called elections on March 15-17.
In turn, the representative of the Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Andrii Yusov, reported that this could be a joint operation of volunteer battalions. As for the armament, the fighters use trophy weapons during assaults on Russian territories.
Meanwhile, the Russian Ministry of Defense has put forward its version of what is happening on the border with Ukraine. They traditionally blamed Ukraine and claimed that they had "repelled an attempt to breach the border."
For more details on what is happening in the Kursk and Belgorod regions, read the report by RBC-Ukraine.
