Ukraine war briefing: Russian forces fending off attacks by pro-Kyiv fighters

News Snapshot:

Three pro-Ukrainian battalions made up of recruits from Russia have launched a fresh incursion into southern Russia in a cross-border raid meant to sow chaos before President Vladimir Putin’s widely expected re-election this weekend. The three armed groups of Russian exiled fighters, who operate closely with Ukraine’s military, said they had crossed the border into the southern Kursk and Belgorod regions. Russia’s national guard said on Thursday it was fighting off attacks from the pro-Ukrainian groups. Russia is believed to have jammed the satellite signal on an aircraft used by the British defence minister, Grant Shapps, to travel from Poland...