MOSCOW

Russia said on Tuesday that Ukrainian sabotage groups attempted several attacks on the border regions of Belgorod and Kursk.

The Defense Ministry in a statement said after intense shelling of civilian targets, the Ukrainian units tried to penetrate the Russian territory on tanks and armored vehicles simultaneously in three directions in the vicinity of Odnorobovka, Nekhoteyevka and Spodaryushino settlements of the Belgorod region.

In response, Russia scrambled fighter jets, which carried out strikes on the groups, while rocket and artillery forces followed the aviation's lead, according to the ministry.

It said the opponent "suffered significant losses" and retreated, and there have been no violations of the state border.

Five tanks and an armored vehicle were destroyed in the battle, the statement said, adding that five hours after the attack in Belgorod, Ukrainian troops launched four attacks in the Kursk region, all of which were repelled as well.

Russia started its "special military operation" in Ukraine in February 2022.