Russia alleges border incursion by Ukrainian saboteurs; Kyiv claims they are disgruntled Russians

By SUSIE BLANN
Associated Press

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian officials are claiming that Ukrainian military saboteurs have launched an attack across the border, wounding three people in a small town. Kyiv officials denied any link with the group and blamed the fighting on a revolt by disgruntled Russians against the Kremlin. Neither version of events could be independently verified in an area that has witnessed sporadic spillover from the almost 15-month war in Ukraine. The governor of Russia’s Belgorod region, which borders Ukraine, said that a Ukrainian Armed Forces saboteur group entered the local town of Graivoron, about five kilometers (three miles) from the border. Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov said three people were wounded by shrapnel in the assault that included artillery fire.