MOSCOW. June 1 (Interfax) - The Ukrainian side has lost over 50 saboteurs while attempting to break through the Russian border and into the Belgorod region, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
"Totally, more than 50 Ukrainian terrorists have been killed and four armored combat vehicles, a combat vehicle with a BM-21 Grad multiple launch rocket system, and one pickup truck have been destroyed on the Ukrainian side of the border," the Defense Ministry said in a statement on Telegram.
The statement provides some details of the Ukrainian attacks.
One of the groups, 15 men in each, attempted to enter the Russian territory, moving along the left bank of the Seversky Donets river in the direction of Gatishchevo, Novaya Tavolzhanka, but ran over a mine in a minefield, it said.
Up to 70 men, five tanks, four armored combat vehicles, seven pickup trucks and one Kamaz truck took part in the most massive attack by Ukrainian forces, it said.
The Ukrainian forces made the first breakthrough attempt at 3:57 a.m. Moscow time, and Russian forces carried out strikes on the retreating forces and reserves until 9:50 a.m., the Defense Ministry said.