Ukrainian armed forces have launched strikes on the city of Belgorod using prohibited cluster munitions and rocket projectiles, according to a statement from the Russian Ministry of Defense.
The ministry stated that the Ukrainian forces fired rockets equipped with cluster munitions, known as “Olha,” as well as multiple rocket launchers called “Vampire.” While most of the Vampire rockets and Olha cluster munitions were intercepted by Russian air defense systems, several rockets and cluster munition remnants struck the city of Belgorod.
The Ministry of Defense emphasized that if the Olha rockets had directly hit Belgorod with their cluster munitions, the consequences would have been significantly more severe.
Prior to this incident, Ukrainian security and defense forces reportedly launched a missile strike on “military targets” in Belgorod. According to a source in Ukrainian intelligence, this action was in response to Russian shelling of Ukrainian cities.
The Ministry of Emergency Situations reported that 108 people were injured as a result of the shelling.
Earlier, the Kremlin expressed concerns about the increased risk of attacks on Russian infrastructure during the winter months.
