Russian Military Leaders Face Increased Violence on Home and Border Territories
Russian military leaders are facing a difficult decision as they grapple with fresh attacks by anti-regime forces in western Russia and continued violence in Ukraine.
The UK Ministry of Defence has reported that partisan groups have attacked Russia's Belgorod region for the second time in 10 days, while Ukrainian forces have shelled two villages in Russia's Bryansk region.
In response, Russian authorities have deployed military firepower on their own territory, including attack helicopters and the TOS-1A heavy thermobaric rocket launcher.
The UK's defense chiefs are urging Russia to strengthen its defenses in both Russia and Ukraine.
Russia has already reported intensified attacks from northern Ukraine and that Ukrainian troops attempted to cross the border into the Belgorod region on Thursday, the first such incursion.
Russia has denied that its military is involved in the incursions, but Ukrainian authorities have claimed that the attacks are conducted by Russian volunteer fighters.
The situation remains fluid, and it is unclear how the situation will unfold in the coming days.