A group of pro-Ukraine rebels known as the Russian Volunteer Corps (RDK), has posted videos claiming to be in control of Nova Tavolzhanka in Russia’s Belgorod region.
The border area has come under a number of attacks in recent weeks, with Russia blaming Ukraine, Kyiv denying it’s behind them, and two pro-Ukrainian militant groups, one being the RDK, claiming responsibility.
In a video posted by the RDK, at least four fighters are shown on a residential road near the southern outskirts of Nova Tavolzhanka, about a mile from the border of Ukraine’s Kharkiv.
Two fighters face the camera: one holding the blue flag of the RDK while another says the group was the only force left in the town.
“Since [Governor of Belgorod Oblast Vyacheslav Gladkov] cannot control his territory, we will talk with his leaders, who are in Moscow,” they said.
In another, a soldier is recorded as he moves through a deserted street.
Sky News has not been able to independently verify the clips.
It comes just a day after Denis Nikitin, commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps, appeared in a joint video statement by the RDK and the other militant group, Freedom of Russia Legion,
The two groups offered to meet Mr Gladkov for talks and a potential handover of two captive Russian soldiers, but he rejected their offer.
