In a shocking turn of events, the armed forces under Vladimir Putin targeted their soil, signaling a dark and unprecedented chapter in Russian military operations.
According to Daily Mail, the village of Kozinka in the Belgorod region faced a deliberate bombing from Moscow's armed forces, using FAB-500 glide bombs against rebels, leaving the village in ruins.
This action, aimed at anti-Putin paramilitary fighters who had seized the village, marks the first time Moscow has directed such aggression towards its territory.
The bombing, which took place on Wednesday, targeted rebel fighters who had taken control of the village. Before the conflict, Kozinka was a peaceful settlement with a population of 1,132. Now, it stands as a testament to the devastating consequences of internal conflict, with not a single house left intact.
A resident shared her harrowing experience with the Dozhd TV channel, stating, "They dumped [the bombs] on residential buildings - and in most cases there are no houses." Her words paint a bleak picture of the reality faced by those who called Kozinka home, now left to grapple with the aftermath of this unprecedented assault.
Rebels versus Russia's mighty response
Despite the rebels capturing only a minor portion of the village, the Russian response was drastically out of proportion, according to analyst Julian Röpcke. 'This video shows massive Russian airstrikes on... Russia," he remarked, highlighting the severe measures the Kremlin took against its citizens. Pro-Putin channels echoed this sentiment, reporting on the destruction of several groups of enemy infantry, even as the conflict persisted.
The local government initially denied the presence of enemy forces within Kozinka and other villages. However, the Belgorod region's pro-Putin governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov, later confirmed the evacuation of civilians and the severe destruction the village sustained. Despite these admissions, Gladkov denied the presence of Ukrainian forces on Russian soil, a claim contradicted by video evidence.
Putin's response to the situation has been to order military strikes against civilian targets in Ukraine and to task the FSB with pursuing anti-Putin fighters. This marks a significant escalation in tactics to quell any opposition to his rule.
A new phase in the conflict
The Russian Freedom Legion, Russian Volunteer Corps, and Siberian Battalion rebels launched their cross-border assault on March 12. They aspired to disrupt Putin's elections and reclaim land from his regime. Their message was one of liberation, stating:
We do not come to kill, erase, destroy or punish. We come to set you free from misery, poverty, and fear…
In response to the growing sense of insecurity, Governor Gladkov ordered the evacuation of 9,000 children from border areas. Meanwhile, Kyiv experienced turmoil as Ukrainian air defense forces shot down several enemy missiles. The attack on the Ukrainian capital resulted in injuries to 10 individuals, including an 11-year-old girl and a 38-year-old man.
The sustained attacks and incursions in the Belgorod region have led to civilian casualties and significant damage. This episode not only underscores the severity of the internal strife within Russia but also raises questions about the future direction of the conflict and its implications for regional stability.
Conclusion
The targeted bombing of Kozinka by Vladimir Putin's armed forces marks a significant moment in Russian military history, as it is the first time Moscow has deliberately attacked its territory. The use of FAB-500 glide bombs against rebel fighters left the village in ruins, highlighting a drastic response to the rebel occupation.
This incident not only signifies a new phase in Russia's internal conflict but also underscores the lengths to which Putin's regime will go to maintain control. As the Belgorod region grapples with the aftermath and the broader implications of this attack, the international community watches closely, concerned about the potential for further escalation.
