From Belgorod to Red Square: anti-Putin Russia takes up arms

"We are the free people of Russia". This is the proclamation under which the Freedom for Russia Legion, together with the Russian Volunteer Corps, have taken up arms in Russia's Belgorod region. An unprecedented rebellion that saps Putin's power and reputation just hours after the Kremlin leader announced the seizure of Bakhmut.  

Hype: congratulations to the paramilitaries, promises of decorations and a television broadcast comparing the seizure of Bakhmut to that of Berlin in 1945. Propaganda is a tool the Russian regime has always loved, and the fact that a column of two tanks, an armoured vehicle and nine military vehicles crossed the Russian-Ukrainian border and seized Belgorod is by far nothing to be proud of. 

The first measure taken from Moscow was to cut off mobile networks and the internet. A little late as the cars of citizens fleeing the Grayvoron district were reported, including the image at the airport of the Belgorod governor's wife. However, the dangerousness of the situation is underlined after the Russian authorities urgently evacuated the nuclear munitions storage facility "Belhorod 22", 14 kilometres from Grayvoron.

It is a fact. By midday on Monday, anti-Russian military units had attacked the Russian region by land and air. "Inhabitants of the border regions! Stay at home, don't resist and don't be afraid: we are not your enemies. Unlike Putin's zombies, we do not touch civilians and do not use them for our own purposes. Freedom is near!" was the message of the Freedom for Russia Legion. 

The attack has been claimed by these units, but the Kremlin insists the perpetrator is Ukraine. The Russian president's spokesman, Dmytri Peskov, said Putin is aware of the "Ukrainian sabotage attempt". The same words were used by the governor of the affected region, Vyacheslav Gladkv, who said that they are already "taking the necessary measures to neutralise the enemy". 

Kiev denies involvement in the attack, but congratulates the courage. "We can only congratulate the decisive actions of opposition-minded Russian citizens, who are ready for an armed struggle against Putin's criminal regime," said Ukrainian military intelligence spokesman Andryi Yusov.

A coup for Ukraine. "The attack in Belgorod was a media coup to try to divert attention from Bajmut, after it was taken over by the Russians. It is not a military attack because neither the volunteer units nor Ukraine can afford a real military attack there", comments international analyst Lucas Martin in a conversation with this newspaper.

First formal opposition? 

The attack in Belgorod brings out the record of Putin's opponents, quite a few and growing since the invasion. Ilya Ponomarev is one of them. The forerunner of the Freedom for Russia Legion, created in February 2022, has been in exile in Ukraine since he, as a Duma deputy, rejected the annexation of Crimea in 2014. 

A video released by the volunteer organisation features another familiar face, soldier Maximilian, who calls the Russian population to action. "We want our children to grow up in peace and to be free people so that they can travel, study and be happy in a free country". With an acclaimed voice he sentences: "our goal is the Red Square in Moscow".

Yevgeny Progozhin is also in line with the disgruntled. The leader of the Wagner Group has once again lashed out at the Kremlin, accusing it of failing to fortify the border crossings with Ukraine. "The Defence Ministry and the Armed Forces are being negligent. They have left Russia's territory vulnerable to attack by Ukrainian enemies". 

Everything under control 

Eight people have been injured in the attack on Belgorod. For the moment it was just that, an attack. And that is what the Russian authorities are waiting for, and have already imposed an anti-terrorist regime throughout the region. The measure includes a number of temporary restrictions on free movement to ensure the safety of citizens.

Everything under control, except for the repercussions. The blue and white flag that already characterises Russian opponents has gained several supporters, and the fear of another attack within Russia's borders is becoming more and more papable. The result, in any case, of the "special military operation" that is gaining humiliating overtones with each passing day.