Belgorod borders the Kursk region, where Ukrainian troops have seized Russian territory since staging a lightning incursion on August 6.

Mash, a Telegram channel with links to Russia’s security services, said that a total of about 500 Ukrainian troops had attacked two Russian checkpoints at Nekhoteyevka and Shebekino.

However, SHOT, another Telegram news channel, said there had been no clashes at Shebekino and reported that Ukrainian forces had attacked a border checkpoint at Nekhoteyevka but had been pushed back after suffering losses.

The Reuters news agency reported that it was unable to independently verify the battlefield reports.

Regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov issued a brief statement on Telegram, saying: “There is information that the enemy is trying to break through the border of the Belgorod region.

“According to the Russian defense ministry, the situation on the border remains difficult but under control.”

Belgorod and other border areas have been on high alert since Ukraine launched an attack on the neighboring Kursk region three weeks ago, carving out a slice of territory from which Russia is still fighting to eject it.