Russia Army Says It Repelled Ukrainian Assault on Belgorod Amid Ceasefire Talks

Russia’s military said late Tuesday that it repelled an attempt by Ukrainian forces to launch an assault on the Belgorod region, framing the attack as an effort to undermine ceasefire talks between Moscow and Washington.

The statement came shortly after a phone conversation between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which Putin agreed to a 30-day pause in attacks against Ukrainian energy infrastructure but rejected a broader ceasefire.

According to Russia’s Defense Ministry, Ukraine deployed up to 200 soldiers in the attack on the Belgorod region, along with “five tanks, 16 armored combat vehicles and three demolition vehicles.”

“A total of five attacks were carried out by the enemy during the day,” the ministry said, adding that “no crossing of the state border of the Russian Federation was allowed.”

Ukraine has not yet commented on the reported assault.

Russia has repeatedly accused Ukraine of launching incursions into its border regions since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, including in the Kursk region, where fighting has been ongoing since August.

A Message from The Moscow Times:

Dear readers,

We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia’s Prosecutor General’s Office has designated The Moscow Times as an “undesirable” organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a “foreign agent.”

These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work “discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership.” We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It’s quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.

By supporting The Moscow Times, you’re defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.

Continue