Culture Society, Identity and Belonging
Anti-Putin Russians who are aligned with the Ukrainian army have reportedly encircled the Graivoron checkpoint in Russia’s southwestern region of Belgorod, which is home to a nuclear base. Last night, buildings housing the local FSB security branch and the interior ministry were attacked by drones, as local citizens fled the area. The group, called the Liberty of Russia Legion, said it was working with the Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC) to create a “demilitarised zone”. The Kremlin called them “saboteurs”; Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said the groups were acting independently, describing them as Russia’s own “armed guerrilla movement”. Their usefulness to Kyiv is doubtful. In a worst-case scenario, their actions could be used as an argument against arming Ukraine with long-range weapons for fear of escalation.
