the so called special military operation was national security making people here feel more secure. but before russia s war in ukraine, life in belgorod region and in other russian regions close to the ukrainian border was calm and peaceful. there were no explosions, no sabotage groups breaking through. it very much looks as if the full scale invasion of ukraine has had the opposite effect. for now, though, there is no sign of those in power in russia changing direction. steve rosenberg, bbc news, moscow. so that s russia. we want to bring you some images from inside ukraine. satellite images like this have revealed the extent of defences being built by russia in the areas they currently occupy in the east of the country. that s in preparation for an expected ukrainian counter offensive. those images have been analysed by bbc verify. it s a new service bringing together 60 journalists
in recent months, this part of russia has felt increasingly like a warzone. with a series of explosions in belgorod suspected ukrainian drone attacks forcing people here to take cover. attacks on russian territory are putting the kremlin under pressure. one of the kremlin s justifications for launching the so called special military operation was national security making people here feel more secure. but before russia s war in ukraine, life in belgorod region and in other russian regions close to the ukrainian border was calm and peaceful. there were no explosions, no sabotage groups breaking through. it very much looks as if the full scale invasion of ukraine has had the opposite effect. for now, though, there is no sign of those in power in russia changing direction.
at least eight people were injured in those attacks, and russia has accused the sabotage groups of crossing over from ukraine into russia to carry out more combat missions. unlike recent attacks on russian soil, ukraine acknowledge the cross border operation this time, insisting only that the groups acted of their own volition. but this is notable. it s a notable change in tune as ukrainians try to counter russia s claims of victory in bakhmut. the fight of this war s deadliest battle. and as intrigue grows over the death of another russian official who died suddenly after reportedly criticizing the kremlin, cnn s chief international anchor christiane amanpour is joining me now, and christiane we will get to the death of the russian official soon, but we will start with the attacks.
tonight, russian tv claimed the ukrainian army was behind the incursion. it said civilians had been wounded and people were being evacuated. in recent months, this part of russia has felt increasingly like a warzone. with a series of explosions in belgorod suspected ukrainian drone attacks forcing people here to take cover. attacks on russian territory are putting the kremlin under pressure. one of the kremlin s justifications for launching the so called special military operation was national security making people here feel more secure. but before russia s war in ukraine, life in belgorod region and in other russian regions close to the ukrainian border was calm and peaceful. there were no explosions, no sabotage groups breaking through. it very much looks as if