Border skirmishes, drone strikes, and a plane crash: Violence in Russia ahead of election
Russia has been hit this week inside its own territory with several strikes carried out.
In the past three days, there have been skirmishes and incursions across its southern border, and drones have successfully targeted sites important to its economically crucial oil and gas sector.
On 15-17 March, Russian citizens are scheduled to vote in the country’s presidential election.
While there is little prospect for democratically-led change in the near-term, the lead-up to the election has not been smooth.
Attacks across Russia’s southern border
On 12 March, the Russian Volunteer Corps, Freedom of Russia Legion, and Siberian Battalion claimed to have attacked positions along Russia’s southern border.
While the accounts provided by these groups have not been verified, it’s clear that fighting occurred in at least three locations.
These groups, based in Ukrainian territory and comprising fighters opposed to Vladimir Putin’s government, engaged the Kremin’s forces in the country’s southern Belgorod and Kursk Oblasts, as the war was brought closer to home for Russians.
The skirmishes in southern Russia occurred in three areas along its border with Ukraine. The most prolonged fighting occurred around the town of Tetkino in Kursk Oblast, which anti-Putin forces claimed to have captured on 12 March.
Another attack appears to have occurred further south, near the town of Spodaryushino, in Belgorod Oblast. While it is unclear how prolonged this engagement was, footage posted on 12 March shows a group of Russian troops pulling back from the border.
Fighting also occurred around the border crossing near the Russian town of Nekhoteevka, also in Belgorod Oblast. Aerial footage shows a disabled tank that appears to have been abandoned by anti-Putin forces in this location.
While troops appear not to have advanced far into the Russian interior, clashes in the border regions were accompanied by drone strikes targeting sites in the city of Belgorod.
According to geolocated footage, the City Hall was damaged in these strikes.
Strikes on Russian oil facilities
Further into Russian territory, Ukrainian strikes against oil facilities appear to have been occurring with increasing frequency.
Image of oil refinery on fire in Kstovo circulating on social media
On 12 March, it was reported an oil storage facility in the Western city of Oryol was set alight by a strike.
And a Lukoil-owned complex situated over 500 miles from the Ukrainian border in Kstovo, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, was successfully targeted by drones on the same day.
These attacks were followed by a strike on an oil refinery in Ryazan Oblast on 13 March. According to Russian officials, this resulted in a fire and injuries to two people.
Reports of fires at all three of these sites have been confirmed by geolocated footage.
Military transport plane crashes after fire
On 12 March, footage emerged showing a Russian military transport plane crashing near the Russian city of Ivanovo.
Video from the area shows the Ilyushin Il-76 flying low with one of its engines on fire before crashing.
According to Russian officials, eight crew members and seven passengers were onboard at the time of the crash.
What this means for Russia
On the significance of the attacks along Russia’s southern border, Sky News security and defence analyst, Professor Michael Clarke, said that while they are minor on a grand scale, they demonstrate a lack of competence and preparedness on the part of local Russian forces.
On the wider implications of strikes within Russia, Prof Clarke pointed out the pre-election period was a “sensitive time” for the regime.
He added that the optics of drone attacks and the loss of a IL-76 were unlikely to help Russians feel better about their country’s security.
Storm Shadow cruise missiles made in the UK and donated to Ukraine have once again been used to strike targets inside Russia.
The long-range weapons – which cost roughly £2m each – have been used to devastating effect in the Black Sea, sinking or damaging several Russian ships, and now against a chemical plant.
Last year, Ukraine’s allies lifted restrictions on Storm Shadows and other long-range missiles, meaning Kyiv’s military can use them against targets across the border.
Follow latest: Storm Shadow missiles used in ‘massive’ attack on Russia
A Storm Shadow missile system. Pic: Gary Dawson/Shutterstock
What are Storm Shadow missiles?
Storm Shadows are cruise missiles developed by the UK and France in the 1990s.
Launched from aircraft, they have a range more than 155 miles, manufacturer MBDA says, and can travel at speeds exceeding 600mph.
The missiles can be used with high precision for deep strikes while evading detection, the manufacturer says.
They have been used by the RAF and French air force and in the Gulf, Iraq and Libya, and more recently have been used by Ukrainian forces.
What sets them apart from some other projectiles is they use terrain mapping to navigate to their target, rather than relying just on GPS, military analyst Sean Bell says.
A Tornado GR4 with Storm Shadow cruise missiles. Pic: Crown copyright
How have they been used in Ukraine?
Back in May 2023, the UK government announced it would provide Ukraine with Storm Shadow missiles – the first country to do so.
Since then they have been used by Kyiv’s defenders to strike Russian targets inside Ukraine and also inside Russia.
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While operational details of their use do not always emerge, it has been reported Storm Shadows have been used against targets including military headquarters and ships.
Storm Shadows can likely be operated entirely from within Ukraine, though probably with the assistance of intelligence gathered by Western surveillance planes over international waters.
A police officer has been injured after a night of violent protests outside an asylum hotel in Dublin – with six arrests made.
Bricks were thrown and fireworks were discharged outside the Citywest Hotel – with glass bottles used as missiles and a police van set on fire.
A Garda helicopter was also targeted with lasers, and the police service says some of those on the streets were seen carrying garden forks.
Pic: PA
Pic: PA
Commissioner Justin Kelly added: “This was obviously not a peaceful protest. The actions this evening can only be described as thuggery. This was a mob intent on violence.
“We will now begin the process of identifying those who committed crimes and we will bring those involved in this violence to justice.”
It is the second night of demonstrations after an alleged sexual assault in its vicinity in the early hours of Monday morning.
Some of the crowd threw stones and other missiles at the public order officers as they moved the protesters back – and water cannon was deployed at the scene.
A line of officers was preventing the protesters from approaching the hotel.
Police officers block protesters outside the hotel. Pic: PA
‘Those involved will be brought to justice’
Ireland’s premier, Taoiseach Micheál Martin, paid tribute to the officers who were on the frontline of the protests.
“There can be no justification for the vile abuse against them, or the attempted assaults and attacks on members of the force that will shock all right-thinking people,” he said.
Justice minister Jim O’Callaghan said those involved in the violence will be brought to justice.
“The scenes of public disorder we have witnessed at Citywest must be condemned,” he said.
“People threw missiles at Gardai, threw fireworks at them and set a Garda vehicle on fire.
“This is unacceptable and will result in a forceful response from the Gardai.
“Those involved will be brought to justice.”
‘No excuse’ for violence
The minister said a man had been arrested and had appeared in court in relation to the alleged assault in the vicinity of the hotel.
He added: “While I am not in a position to comment any further on this criminal investigation, I have been advised that there is no ongoing threat to public safety in the area.”
He said attacks on officers would “not be tolerated”, adding: “Peaceful protest is a cornerstone of our democracy. Violence is not.
“There is no excuse for the scenes we have witnessed.”
The demonstration on Monday night passed without a significant incident.
It comes two years after anti-immigrant demonstrators triggered a major riot in the centre of Dublin after three young children were stabbed.
A police van has been set on fire and missiles have been thrown at officers as protesters gathered outside a hotel used to house asylum seekers in Dublin.
It is the second night of demonstrations outside the Citywest Hotel after an alleged sexual assault in its vicinity in the early hours of Monday morning.
A large crowd has gathered in the area and members of the Garda’s public order unit have been deployed.
Footage from the scene showed a Garda vehicle on fire as well as several protesters displaying Irish flags.
Many protesters carried Republic of Ireland flags
Some of the crowd threw stones and other missiles at the public order officers as they moved the protesters back.
A Garda helicopter hovered overhead and a water cannon was deployed on the scene.
Ireland’s justice minister, Jim O’Callaghan, said those involved will be brought to justice.
“The scenes of public disorder we have witnessed at Citywest tonight must be condemned,” he said.
“People threw missiles at Gardai, threw fireworks at them and set a Garda vehicle on fire.
“This is unacceptable and will result in a forceful response from the Gardai.
“Those involved will be brought to justice.”
The minister said a man had been arrested and had appeared in court in relation to the alleged assault in the vicinity of the hotel.
He added: “While I am not in a position to comment any further on this criminal investigation, I have been advised that there is no ongoing threat to public safety in the area.
He said attacks on gardai will “not be tolerated”, adding: “Peaceful protest is a cornerstone of our democracy. Violence is not.
“There is no excuse for the scenes we have witnessed tonight.”
It was the second night of protest outside the hotel, which is being used as state accommodation for people seeking international protection. The demonstration on Monday night passed without a significant incident.
It comes two years after anti-immigrant demonstrators triggered a major riot in the centre of Dublin after three young children were stabbed.
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