Russian governor reports civilian casualties from Ukrainian shelling
An condominium block partially collapsed within the Russian border metropolis of Belgorod Sunday. Officers blamed Ukrainian shelling and stated there have been deaths, with out specifying a quantity.
In an announcement, Russia’s Investigative Committee, the nation’s prime regulation enforcement company, stated that the 10-story block had been hit by Ukrainian shelling. It stated that there have been useless and injured among the many rubble, however supplied no additional particulars.
The Russian Well being Ministry stated that at the least 17 individuals had been injured within the collapse. Rescue operations had been being carried out.
Russian authorities stated the constructing collapsed following Ukrainian shelling. Ukraine has not commented on the incident.
Repeated air raid alerts went out throughout the Belgorod area on Sunday morning. Belgorod metropolis additionally got here below fireplace Saturday night, killing one individual and injuring 29 extra, stated native Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov.
He added that round 300 flats throughout 85 condominium buildings and 4 industrial properties suffered injury.
Key services similar to a metropolis hospital, a regional kids’s hospital, a college, and two sports activities services had been additionally broken he stated.
The Russian defence ministry, additionally on Telegram, introduced on Sunday that its air defence forces had intercepted and destroyed two Soviet-era standard ballistic missiles launched in a single day by Ukrainian forces over the Belgorod area in Russia’s southwest.
These reviews haven’t been independently verified.
Cities throughout western Russia have come below common assault from drones since Could 2023, with Russian officers blaming Kyiv. Ukrainian officers by no means acknowledge accountability for assaults on Russian territory or the Crimean Peninsula.
The Belgorod area, on Russia’s western border, has been the goal of numerous strikes. Though most cross-border shelling is seen in rural areas, assaults have additionally been seen on the area’s capital. In December 2023, shelling within the coronary heart of Belgorod metropolis killed 25 individuals, prompting authorities to begin erecting public shelters.