The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations has confirmed that nine civilians were injured following a series of cross-border strikes that targeted residential areas in Russia’s Belgorod region, near the border with Ukraine.
The attacks, which occurred late Saturday evening, involved drone and artillery fire reportedly originating from Ukrainian forces. Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov stated that the strikes hit private homes in the towns of Shebekino and Rakitnoe, causing significant damage to infrastructure and sparking fires that emergency crews worked through the night to extinguish.
Among the injured were elderly residents and children, all of whom have been hospitalized and are receiving medical attention. Local authorities have launched investigations into the incident and are assessing the extent of the damage.
The Belgorod region has faced repeated shelling and drone incursions since the onset of the conflict in February 2022. Saturday’s attack marks one of the most severe escalations in recent weeks, prompting renewed calls for enhanced border security and civilian protection measures.
Russian officials condemned the strikes as a violation of international humanitarian norms and vowed to respond appropriately. “We will take all necessary steps to ensure the safety of our citizens and prevent further aggression,” said a spokesperson from the Ministry of Defense.