Vladimir Putin’s forces have been caught red-handed while looting in their own country amid Ukraine’s Kursk invasion.
Russian ‘defenders’ took advantage of the chaos caused by a surprise cross-border raid launched by kyiv forces nearly two weeks ago to steal goods from a mobile phone store.
Shocking security footage shows a quartet of Moscow soldiers helping each other at a MegaFon store in the frontline town of Glushkovo.
At least three of the four are believed to be members of the elite Chechen assault force Akhmat, which was partly responsible for defending the border at Kursk.
They smash their way through a window before spending more than five minutes smashing display cases and filling their pockets with technology.
The crew smashed glass display cases, looting the store’s goods, before using a fire extinguisher to break down a storage door.
A man kicks the glass display case to steal the technology inside
A wrestler is seen rummaging through drawers beneath cabinets.
A soldier is seen using a stool to try to get through the warehouse door.
Eventually, one of the fighters notices the security camera and proceeds to smash it.
The group is later seen trying to break into a warehouse where they suspect more phones are hidden.
They repeatedly hit the lock with a fire extinguisher before kicking the door to no avail.
Finally, they manage to make a hole in the door and seem to be about to open it when one of the group spots the security camera.
The CCTV footage ends abruptly when one of the fighters smashes the camera.
Regional government official Roman Alekhin said all the intruders were from the Akhmat unit, loyal to Putin’s ally Ramzan Kadyrov, Chechnya’s strongman ruler.
The looters “have names and surnames” and should be held personally accountable, Alekhin said.
He said: ‘Every scumbag who wears the uniform of a Russian military man, took the oath and then stole or destroyed the property of a Russian citizen, regardless of nationality, must be held accountable according to wartime laws.
”Two of the scoundrels are already being held accountable.
“They not only stole but also dishonored the uniform of our fighters, our Russian military.”
“We can only hope that there will be commanders who will help restore order,” he concluded.
As anger over the behaviour of Russian troops grows, Ukrainian forces continue to press for the upper hand at Kursk.
The bridge over the Seym River at Zvannoe, near the border with Ukraine, was considered a key supply route for Russian forces trying to repel the Ukrainian advance before it was destroyed by Kiev troops in a surprise attack yesterday.
The bridge is said to be located over the Seym River in Zvannoe, near the border with Ukraine. It is believed that Russian forces used it to supply their troops.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the goals of the military incursion in Kursk included creating a “buffer zone” to stop Russian attacks.
Almost two weeks after the incursion into Russia, The BBC Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reportedly said the goals of the military incursion in Kursk included creating a “buffer zone” to stop Russian attacks.
But Zelensky said Britain’s support for the war had “slowed down” and called for restrictions on the use of donated weapons inside Russia to be lifted this weekend.
A UK government spokesman said Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer remains “unwavering” in his support for Ukraine and that position has not changed since the Russian incursion.
The government has previously expressed support for Ukraine’s “clear right to self-defence against unlawful attacks by Russia” provided they comply with international humanitarian law, although it maintains that the equipment provided by the UK is intended for the defence of Ukraine.
Ukrainian forces have been conducting a military incursion into Russia’s Kursk region since August 6, the aim of which, Zelensky revealed on Sunday evening, is to create a buffer zone to prevent further attacks from Moscow across the border.
To date, the UK has pledged £12.5 billion in support to Ukraine from February 2022, of which £7.6 billion will be for military assistance. This includes £3 billion for military assistance in 2024/25.
In a post on X, Mr Zelesnky said: ‘We are doing everything possible to provide our warriors with the necessary weapons and reinforcements.
‘It is crucial that our partners remove the barriers that prevent us from weakening Russian positions as this war demands.
‘Long-range capabilities are the answer to the most critical strategic questions in this war.
‘The bravery of our soldiers and the resilience of our combat brigades make up for the lack of essential decisions by our partners.
‘We could decisively deprive the occupiers of any ability to advance and cause destruction if our long-range capabilities were sufficient.’
A Ukrainian tank near the Russian border. Ukrainian forces have been conducting a military incursion into Russia’s Kursk region since August 6.
A government spokesman said Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer remains “unwavering” in his support for Ukraine, and that position has not changed since the Russian incursion.
He added: “Throughout this war, we have seen the UK demonstrate true leadership – in arms, in policy and in support of Ukrainian society. This has saved thousands of lives, reflecting the strength of the UK.
“Unfortunately, the situation has slowed down recently. We will discuss how to fix it, because long-range capabilities are vital for us. Everyone sees how effective the Ukrainians are, how our entire nation defends its independence.”
A government spokesman said the Prime Minister “has been clear that the UK’s support for Ukraine is unwavering”.
They said: ‘That’s why he pledged to provide £3bn a year of support to Ukraine, for as long as it was needed, during his first week in office.
‘The delivery of further lethal aid to kyiv was also accelerated within hours of this Government being elected, bolstering the £12bn of UK support already pledged and ensuring vital military equipment reaches Ukrainian soldiers on the front line.’
The new package of lethal aid for Ukraine includes a quarter of a million .50-calibre rounds of ammunition, 90 Brimstone anti-armor missiles, 50 small military vessels, 40 mine-clearing vehicles and 10 AS-90 artillery guns.
Ukrainian forces also received 61 excavators and support for AS-90s previously donated by the UK.
