Russian freedom fighters start an armed revolt in Russia’s Belogorod and Kursk oblasts
Fighters from the Freedom of Russia Legion, the Russian Volunteer Corps, and the Siberian Battalion have kicked off a joint operation and have moved into Russia’s Belgorod and Kursk oblasts, former Russian MP and opposition activist Ilya Ponomarev reported on Facebook on March 12.
Russian anti-regime fighters have taken control of the border village of Lozova Rudka in Belgorod Oblast. There's an ongoing firefight in Tyotkino in the Kursk Oblast.
The Freedom of Russia Legion declared their mission to liberate Russia from dictator Vladimir Putin. In a video message, the Legion stated they are "heading to the polls."
"We're marching to free you [Russian population] from misery, poverty, and dictatorship," the Legion declared. The rebels emphasized their dream of a Russia freed from Putin's dictatorship, vowing to "make every effort to turn these dreams into reality."
"We will reclaim our land from the regime, inch by inch,” the legion stated.
“Russians will sleep peacefully, not fearing a knock at the door, and will speak their minds without fear. Russians will vote for whoever they want, not who they are told to."
The Ukrainian Defense Ministry’s Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) commented on the developments.
“The volunteers are likely conducting joint activities”, HUR spokesperson Andriy Yusov told LIGA.net.
"These organizations operate autonomously on Russian territory, and the Russian citizens who are part of them are, after all, in their homeland."
The so-called Russian Presidential election is scheduled for March 17, 2024. It was later revealed that the occupiers plan to conduct "elections" in the temporarily occupied territories over three days — March 15, 16, and 17.
Voting in the occupied territories of Ukraine will be "illegal and void," Ukraine's Foreign Ministry stated.
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