[4] The district was formerly part of Grayvoronsky Uyezd, which had an area of about 3,000 square kilometres (1,200 sq mi).

[citation needed] In May 2023, during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the governor of Belgorod Oblast, Vyacheslav Gladkov, said that Ukrainian "sabotage groups" entered the district from Ukraine.

Ukrainian media reported that the cross-border excursion was performed by Russian rebel opposition groups, the Russian Volunteer Corps and the Freedom of Russia Legion.

"[11] Grayvoronsky District sits at the southwest corner of Belgorod Oblast, on the border with Ukraine.

The terrain is a hilly plain averaging 200 meters (660 ft) above sea level; the district lies on the Orel-Kursk plateau of the Central Russian Upland.