The confusing incident took place in the Russian region of Bryansk, very close to the border with Ukraine, and threatens to further escalate the war between the nations.
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The local governor reported that “saboteurs opened fire on a moving vehicle.”
The allegedly Ukrainian group also took hostages, according to Russian news agencies Ria Novosti, TASS and Interfax, which cited witnesses and security forces sources.
Russian President Vladimir Putin called the attackers “terrorists and neo-Nazis.”
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“The Army protects Russia and our people against neo-Nazis and terrorists (…) Those who committed a new terrorist attack today infiltrated our border territory and opened fire on civilians,” Putin said in a televised speech.
Putin canceled a planned trip to the Russian Caucasus, Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov reported, and an operation is being launched to “eliminate” a group of Ukrainian “saboteurs” infiltrated in this region.
“The situation in the localities of the Klimovski district, in the Bryansk region, is under the control of the security forces. A large number of explosives of different types were found,” the FSB later said, according to Russian news agencies.
The FSB stated that in addition to one civilian death, a child was injured in the attack.
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“The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation are taking all necessary measures to eliminate this group,” he added.
Russian revolt?
In two videos published on social media, four men in uniform – who claim be members of a group of “Russian volunteers” from the Ukrainian Army – they say they infiltrated Bryansk.
In the recordings, whose authenticity could not be verified, the men deny taking hostages or killing civilians, and criticize Moscow.
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What does Ukraine say?
Ukraine's presidential security advisor, Mikhailo Podoliak, classified the Russian government's statements as a “deliberate provocation” by Russia with the aim of “frightening its population to justify” the offensive in neighboring territory.
Pololiak said that the incident could be related to an action by Russian “militiamen”, who operate with guerrilla methods.
Source: AFP
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