Pro-Ukrainian Russian fighters launch multiple incursions into Russia from Ukraine

Over the weekend there were demonstrations around the world in honour of the birthday of jailed Russian opposition politician Alexey Navalny. Within Russia, his team called on his supporters to hand out leaflets, write the politician’s name on sidewalks or post on social media about Navalny. On Sunday despite the huge risk, people were arrested protesting against his arrest.

For 15 months, people in Ukraine have been living in constant fear of Russian attacks. In recent weeks however, residents across the border in Russia’s Belgorod region have started to get a sense of the horror of having war on their doorstep.

DW spoke with Ilya Ponomarev, who until 2016 was a state duma deputy in Novosibirsk, Russia. He is now living in Ukraine, and tells us about what is happening in Belgorod.

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