More than 24 hours after a strange incursion near the Russian-Ukrainian border that President Vladimir Putin labeled a “terrorist attack,” there was no new clarity about the incident, in which the authorities said two people were killed.
RIGA, Latvia — But that did not prevent government officials and propagandists on Friday from seizing on the episode, in the Bryansk region of western Russia, to buttress their own positions, starting with Putin who, along with state television commentators, fanned Russians’ fears that the nation is under a constant threat of attack by terrorists.
The cacophony of responses, including a claim of responsibility by the Russian Volunteer Corps, a group of Ukraine-based Russian far-right white nationalists fighting on Ukraine’s side in the war, put a spotlight on the swirling info-war that is being waged in parallel with the real combat, and also on some of the sinister forces — mercenaries, paramilitary formations, nationalist movements, and others — involved in both fights.
Before a meeting of Russia’s Security Council on Friday, called in response to Thursday’s incident, Putin, looking grim, warned of the need to protect the nation’s security and law enforcement bases. “Colleagues, today we have to discuss one but very important issue: that is anti-terrorism security of sites of law enforcement agencies,” Putin said tersely before the council went into a closed meeting.
Russian authorities claimed that fighters crossed from Ukraine on Thursday, attacked two villages, took several hostages, killed two people and wounded a boy before fleeing back across the border, leaving behind many explosive devices. “I cannot tell any details regarding yesterday’s operation,” the text message said, “so if you want to speak on smth different you are welcome.” However, the user did not respond to further calls or messages.
As Russia’s military effort has foundered, Putin has come under increasing pressure from pro-war hard-liners, whose criticisms of the Russian military have largely been tolerated because they reinforce Russian support for the war, despite high Russian casualties.One military journalist and fervent supporter of the invasion, Yuri Kotenok, said Thursday’s incursion was “clear and visible fruit of the enemy’s impunity.
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