In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, three groups of Russian defectors currently serving with the Ukrainian Armed Forces have urgently appealed to President Vladimir Putin to evacuate the border regions of Belgorod and Kursk. The defectors, consisting of the Freedom of Russia Legion, the Siberian Battalion, and the Russian Volunteer Corps (RDK), have announced their intentions to shell positions held by Russian troops in these areas.

The statement, posted on Telegram, highlighted the devastating toll on innocent Ukrainian civilians caused by daily shelling originating from Belgorod. The defectors emphasized the need for an immediate halt to the shelling and warned that they would be forced to retaliate by targeting military positions located in Belgorod. To minimize civilian casualties, they urged residents to evacuate the city without delay.

The Freedom of Russia Legion and the RDK, both established during the February 2022 invasion, have previously entered Russia's Belgorod region several times throughout the conflict. This week, they were joined by the Siberian Battalion, formed in October 2023, amplifying their collective strength.

The Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed on Tuesday that 234 saboteurs had been killed during the defectors' previous incursion attempts. The joint statement specifically addressed the residents and officials of Belgorod, urging them to recognize that Putin's forces were endangering Ukrainian cities, using civilian areas as shields. They implored the local authorities to prioritize human lives and embark on an evacuation from the cities within the Kursk and Belgorod regions.

Newsweek has reached out to Russia's Defense Ministry for comment on the situation. Meanwhile, Alexei Baranovsky, a volunteer from the Freedom of Russia Legion, revealed that the latest operation was executed with the collaboration of multiple Russian volunteer units from Ukraine. Baranovsky emphasized that the simultaneous breakthroughs in two separate regions caught Putin's forces off guard, and he expressed curiosity about the unfolding situation.

The overarching objective of the defectors, according to Baranovsky, is the eventual liberation of Russia from Putin's regime. While acknowledging the current challenges, he indicated their determination to realize this mission. Baranovsky refrained from disclosing the precise number of participants involved in the cross-border raid but asserted that they possessed a sufficient military force to achieve their goals.

The Institute for the Study of War, a U.S.-based think tank, noted in its analysis of the Ukraine conflict that Russian milbloggers had already predicted further incursions, coinciding with Russia's upcoming presidential election scheduled for March 15-17. This insight suggests that the ongoing conflict might intensify in the days ahead.

As the situation escalates, the appeal for evacuation and the escalating conflict pose significant challenges for both Ukrainian and Russian authorities. The potential repercussions of these actions could profoundly impact the already complicated dynamics in the region.

For any tips or questions concerning the Russia-Ukraine war, Newsweek invites readers to reach out via worldnews@newsweek.com.