Videos posted online by civilians, as well as alarmed posts by the Russian military bloggers, suggested a chaotic situation in the border area, with Russian forces not in control. Videos posted by Ukrainian accounts online and geolocated by ABC News appeared to show dozens of Russian soldiers taken prisoner lying down on a road on the outskirts of Sudzha.
Rybar, the account close to Russia’s defense ministry, claimed at least 2,000 Ukrainian troops were massed over the border and that Ukrainian engineering units were moving in to erect fortifications.
Though the picture remained wrapped in uncertainty Wednesday, it was clear the Ukrainian attack was the largest it has mounted into Russia. Ukraine has previously launched smaller raids using Russian groups opposed to the Kremlin and controlled by Ukrainian intelligence, entering border villages and then retreating. This is the first time, Ukrainian military units have entered Russia in such numbers.
