TOKYO, March 18 -- NHK World issued the following news:
Russian fighters in a pro-Ukrainian militia group say they have taken control of a municipal building in western Russia amid the country's presidential election.
The Siberian Battalion claimed on Sunday that it seized the building in the Belgorod region with the help of volunteer fighters.
The village, with a population of several hundred residents, is believed to be about 2 kilometers from the border with Ukraine.
A video released by the group shows the fighters taking down the Russian flag from the building.
Russia's defense ministry said the same day that its forces shot down a Ukrainian Mi-8 military helicopter which was heading toward the Belgorod region. The Russian side has...