Belgorod authorities report counterterrorist operation, Russian authorities deeply concerned

Russian leader Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov says that the raid by the Russian Volunteer Corps (RDK) and Freedom of Russia Legion (LSR) in the Belgorod region is a matter of deep concern for the Russian authorities. 

"This is a matter of deep concern and requires great efforts from us," he admitted. 

According to Peskov, the special operation continues to prevent this from happening in the future. 

He also notes that the Russian authorities do not plan to hold a special meeting of the Security Council on the situation in the Belgorod region, but a scheduled meeting will be held later this week.

Earlier, Gladkov reported the information on his Telegram channel, adding that "the Ministry of Defense, together with the security forces, is clearing the territory."

He also added that a woman born in 1941 died "during the evacuation measures," and "the reasons are currently being established."

Gladkov also indirectly confirmed that the Russian military and security forces still do not control part of the territory of the Belgorod region.

"There is information that there are two wounded civilians in the settlements where the enemy has entered. So far, the security forces have not been able to reach them. This morning's task is number one. I hope we will be able to evacuate them as soon as possible and bring them to a medical facility. There are no civilian casualties as of today. All necessary actions are being taken by the security forces. We are waiting for the completion of the counterterrorist operation that was announced yesterday," he said.

Later, Gladkov provided updated information about the two wounded civilians.

"The couple was brought to the city hospital No. 2. The woman has shrapnel wounds of the lower extremities, the state of traumatic shock is severe, the man with abdominal wounds is in a moderate state of severity. Now they are in the emergency department under the close supervision of doctors. All necessary medical care is being provided," he wrote.

As of 09:23 a.m., he reported that an air defense system had shot down a UAV over Belgorod and the Belgorod district.

"According to preliminary data, there are no casualties. The consequences on the ground are being clarified by operational services," he added.

The Freedom of Russia Legion’s statement as of now 

The Freedom of Russia Legion’s Telegram channel reported that they "met the dawn on the liberated territory.”

"Good morning to everyone except Putin's accomplices! We met the dawn on the liberated territory and are advancing," the post reads. 

Deep State claims that the gray zone has already covered more than 30 km²

The Deep State's interactive map shows that amid statements by the Russian Volunteer Corps and the Freedom of Russia Legion about further liberation of Russia, the so-called gray zone covers an area of 31.07 km².

• On May 22, the Russian Volunteer Corps (RDK) and Freedom of Russia Legion (LSR) announced that they had liberated the settlements of Kozinka and Gora-Podol in Russia’s Belgorod region as part of the creation of a demilitarized zone on the border with Russia, and advanced units entered Grayvoron. A counterterrorism operation was introduced in the region and nuclear munitions are being evacuated.

• Late in the evening of May 22, Russian media reported that administrative buildings in Belgorod, including the FSB and the Interior Ministry, had been hit by drones, and that administrative buildings in Grayvoron and Borisovka had been hit by drones.