US mercenary firm Forward Observations Group (FOG), previously known for its presence in Ukraine and "Israel", claims its members are taking part in the Ukrainian attack on the Kursk region (@EmbassyofRussia)

Groups of English-speaking mercenaries have arrived in the Kharkov (Kharkiv) region, near the front lines, due to a shortage of Ukrainian military personnel, a local resident, who wished to remain anonymous for security reasons, told Sputnik on Wednesday.

"Foreigners, mostly English-speaking, have recently arrived. They behave aggressively, and we don't understand them. It feels like we are the enemy to them," the civilian said.

On Monday, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that Kiev had lost up to 170 soldiers in a single day during clashes with the Russian Sever (North) group of forces in the Kharkov region.

Last week, the alleged US private military contractor group, Forward Observations Group, shared a photo on social media purportedly showing its members involved in a Ukrainian incursion in Russia's Kursk Region.

The image depicts three men in military gear, armed and wearing blue armbands, posing in front of an armored vehicle.

The caption read: "The boys in Kursk," and geolocation data indicated that the photo was published from the Kursk Region.

❗️ US mercs spotted in Kursk region
US mercenary firm Forward Observations Group (FOG), previously known for its presence in Ukraine and Israel, claims its members are taking part in the Ukrainian attack on the Kursk region.
FOG's official social media accounts posted a photo:… pic.twitter.com/nF6LqhE5H2
— Russian Embassy in South Africa 🇷🇺 (@EmbassyofRussia) August 21, 2024

The recent developments in the Kursk region involve significant military activity, particularly following a Ukrainian incursion that began on August 6, 2024.

Ukrainian forces managed to advance into Russian territory, capturing several settlements in the Kursk region, marking one of the most significant cross-border attacks since the start of the war.

The incursion has led to intense clashes with Russian forces, prompting Russia to declare a state of emergency and implement a "counter-terrorist operation" in the region