"The Kiev regime, having suffered a defeat in the city of Artemovsk (Bakhmut), proceeded to carry out terrorist actions against the civilian population. On May 22, after intensive artillery shelling of ... a number of civilian facilities in ... the Belgorod region, a unit of the Ukrainian nationalist formation invaded Russia's territory. In the course of the counter-terrorist operation, the nationalist formations were blocked and defeated by air strikes, artillery fire and the active actions of the units covering the state border of the Western Military District," the ministry said in a statement.
More than 70 Ukrainian terrorists, four armored fighting vehicles and five pickups were destroyed as a result of the counter-terrorist operation, the ministry said, adding that the rest were driven back to the territory of Ukraine, where they continued to be hit by fire until they were completely eliminated.
The governor of Belgorod Region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, has denied that a sabotage and reconnaissance group from Ukraine re-entered the region.
"Reports are coming in from the Borisov district: Bogun-Gorodok village, Lozovaya Rudka farm and Tsapovka village. According to our information, there was shelling from the Ukrainian Armed Forces. But no civilians were injured and there were no injuries. Some Telegram channels are beginning to interpret this information as an incursion by a sabotage group in the attempt to cause panic. No such approach has taken place. The FSB, Emergencies Ministry and Defense Ministry have not confirmed the information. The military is working it out," Gladkov wrote.
Earlier, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the incident with the Ukrainian sabotage group in Russia's Belgorod region causes deep concern and requires great efforts.