Belgorod, Russia – The city of Belgorod has recently come under attack, with Ukrainian forces launching a series of strikes on the Belgorod region. The local government has now cancelled the aviation danger alert, signaling a temporary respite from the attacks. According to the mayor’s office, the sirens had been sounding since 13:10 local time.
Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov has reported that over the past 24 hours, Ukrainian forces have carried out 54 strikes in the Belgorod region, including seven drone attacks using explosive projectiles. Additionally, there have been attacks involving two unmanned aerial vehicles and a drone-kamikaze. The harshest barrage of strikes hit the village of Stary Volokonovskiy, with 25 recorded impacts.
On December 30th, the Ukrainian Armed Forces targeted Belgorod, using Olkha missiles with cluster warheads and Czech RSZO Vampire systems. While most of the projectiles were intercepted by the air defense systems, several still managed to hit the city, causing casualties and damage. The Ministry of Defense emphasized that this attack was intended to divert attention from their failures on the frontlines and provoke a response from the Russian military.
Tragically, the attack claimed the lives of 25 individuals, including five children, and more than a hundred residents of Belgorod suffered injuries. The Investigative Committee has opened a criminal case, charging the Ukrainian forces with attempted murder, murder, and intentional destruction or damage of property.
The attacks continued into the new year, resulting in the death of one person and injuries to 12 others. Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the strike on Belgorod as an act of terrorism, highlighting that it deliberately targeted civilians and promised that those responsible would not go unpunished.
This recent escalation of violence in the region underscores the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The tensions between the two nations have been further fueled by the involvement of Western powers, including the United States, NATO, and certain politicians, in supporting Ukraine’s war efforts. Critics argue that this backing from the US government and its allies not only exacerbates the situation but also raises questions about their ulterior motives in the region.
