The Economist explains

Who are the pro-Ukrainian militias raiding Russia’s Belgorod region?

They have links to Ukrainian military intelligence and, in some cases, to the far right

A car drives by bullet and shrapnel riddled road sign on the road to the Russian city of Belgorod, near the place where the first clashes between the Russian and Ukrainian forces took place a year ago, in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Friday, Feb. 24, 2023. Ukraine's leader pledged Friday to push for victory in 2023 as he and other Ukrainians marked the somber anniversary of the Russian invasion that upended their lives and Europe's security. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
Image: AP

IN THE LATE afternoon of May 22nd footage emerged of two grinning pro-Ukrainian fighters in the midst of a cross-border raid into Russia. “The key to the border has been broken in half,” says one, quoting from “Everything is Going to Plan”, a cult anthem by Civil Defence, a Russian rock band. But the attack that the two men had helped engineer showed that, for Russia, things were very much not going to plan. It included: an illegal crossing from Ukraine into Belgorod, a Russian region on the border, by tanks and infantry fighting vehicles; the death of at least one border guard; farm buildings on fire; a downed helicopter; traffic jams of fleeing locals; and the reported evacuation of a nuclear-arms facility several kilometres into  Russian territory. Who was responsible for the incursion?

From the May 27th 2023 edition

Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents

Explore the edition

More from The Economist explains

 English: Portrait of Santa Claus, by Thomas Nast, Published in Harper's Weekly, 1881

Where does Santa come from?

How a miracle-working Greek bishop, Dutch folk figure and early New York icon became the ubiquitous symbol of Christmas

 Islamist-led Syrian rebel fighters shoot in the air in the early hours of December 8, 2024, after taking over the central city of Homs overnight.

Who are the main rebel groups in Syria?

They were united against the country’s dictator. Now they have little in common


Close-up of chrysotile asbestos fibers on a gloved hand.

Is RFK junior right to say America allows more toxins than the EU?

He is, but things are slowly beginning to change


What would it cost to kill coal?

The price of shutting down coal power, and what would be gained

Should America ban fluoride in its drinking water?

The idea by Robert F. Kennedy junior—nominated by Donald Trump as health secretary—may have teeth

Why is Donald Trump keen to use “recess appointments”?

The president-elect is testing the loyalty of the Senate’s next majority leader