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Skirmishes have broken out on the Russian mainland bordering Ukraine.
Russia claimed it was the work of Ukrainian forces, but dissident groups inside Russia say it was theirs.
As Ukraine prepares for a major counterattack, F-16 fighter jets are on the way in the not too distant future.
Our correspondent in Berlin, Gui Soo Kim.
[Report]
The clashes took place in the Graiboron region of mainland Russia’s Belgorod Oblast,안전놀이터 which borders Ukraine.
Russian authorities say Ukrainian forces attacked with tanks, helicopters and artillery, injuring a number of civilians and damaging buildings.
[Vyacheslav Gladkov/Belgorod Governor: “I am in the Graiboron region of Russia. The situation here is still extremely tense. Ukrainian troops have penetrated into our territory.”]
While the Ukrainian government immediately denied any involvement, the Russian dissident group “Russian Freedom Army” claimed responsibility for the attack.
The Russian Freedom Army, which is supporting Ukraine in this war, said it wanted children to grow up in peace and that it was time to end the Kremlin’s dictatorship.
[Caesar/Russian Freedom Army spokesman: “It’s time to end the Kremlin dictatorship. We sincerely thank all those who support us, send donations, and provide support where it is needed.”]
Against this backdrop, Western support for F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, which is facing a major counter-offensive, is surging.
When U.S. President Joe Biden said that the F-16s should not be used to attack Russian territory, even if they are supported, some analysts believe that the support is in effect a given.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josef Borrell has also said he hopes the F-16s will be delivered soon.
As with the main battle tank support, the expectation is that it will start with pilot training, followed by deliveries in the not-too-distant future.
Meanwhile, on the front lines, the Russian offensive is intensifying.
Claiming to have fully captured the eastern stronghold of Bakhmut, Russia launched a massive airstrike on Dnipro at 22:00 local time.
I’m Gui Soo Kim for KBS News in Berlin.