Russians fighting against the Kremlin in Ukraine

Echo report published in The New York Times by Finbarr O'Reilly:

Attacks in southern Russia, close to the Ukrainian border, continued on Tuesday with an explosion reported at a defense factory and skirmishes at a border crossing, a day after anti-Kremlin fighters aligned with Ukraine appeared to have begun a rare ground assault inside Russia.

Russia’s Ministry of Defense said on Tuesday afternoon that it had pushed the pro-Ukrainian militants back across the border and was continuing to target them, adding that a number of “saboteurs” had been killed. Russia’s claim could not be verified, and people who claimed to represent the pro-Ukrainian fighters maintained that their attacks were ongoing.

The Free Russia Legion, a group of Russians who have taken up arms for Ukraine, has claimed responsibility for the incursion. A representative of the group said on Tuesday that Ukrainian officers were aware of the operation but had not directed it.