In a bold move, Ukraine-aligned rebel Russian units have initiated a large-scale operation to "march on Moscow," according to a volunteer from the Freedom of Russia Legion. Alexei Baranovsky, known as "Lutik," revealed that the operation, which began on Tuesday, has already resulted in the capture of a Russian village near the Ukraine border.

Baranovsky confirmed that united forces of Ukraine's Russian volunteer units have crossed the border and are currently engaged in clashes near the Belgorod and Kursk oblasts. Cross-border raids are not new, as Russian rebels previously executed similar operations in 2023, leading to the evacuation of border area residents and a prolonged battle with Russian forces.

This week, the rebel units claim to have seized the village of Tyotkino in the Kursk region, located less than 3 miles from the Ukraine border. Baranovsky stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin's forces were caught off guard by the simultaneous breakthroughs in two separate regions. However, he acknowledged that the situation is fluid and unpredictable.

The rebels' ultimate objective, Baranovsky explained, is the liberation of Russia from Putin's regime. Although he admitted that accomplishing this mission may be challenging at present, it remains their overarching goal. Participating in the incursion are the Freedom of Russia Legion, the Siberian Battalion, and the Russian Volunteer Corps (RDK).

Videos released by the fighters depict troops crossing into Russia before sunrise, utilizing battle tanks and other armored vehicles. Baranovsky refrained from disclosing the number of participants but assured that they have sufficient strength to achieve their military objectives. While he personally aids in resupplying the forces and operates in the second tier of attack, Baranovsky emphasized the significance of the rebel units' growth in terms of quantity and quality in recent months.

Newsweek has reached out to the Russian Defense Ministry for comment, but no response has been received at this time. Baranovsky elaborated on the significance of this dual-pronged operation, labeling it as their most ambitious to date. He expressed the rebels' commitment to setting more complex goals for future missions and ultimately aiming for the destruction of Putin and his regime.

Border guard units and reserves from the regular Russian army, according to Baranovsky, bore the brunt of Tuesday's attack. However, he claimed that defensive positions along the border often remained unoccupied in reality, despite being designated on paper. Although the Russians have fortified the Belgorod border to anticipate another strike, the rebels have found vulnerabilities in both the Belgorod and Kursk oblasts.

As this high-stakes operation unfolds, the world watches closely to see how the situation will evolve and the impact it may have on the ongoing conflict between Ukraine-aligned rebel Russian units and the Russian forces loyal to President Putin.