On Thursday, officials stated that a Ukrainian rocket attack on the Russian city of Belgorod killed at least six people and injured more than a dozen.
Belgorod, located approximately 30 kilometres (19 miles) from Ukraine, has been routinely attacked by what Moscow claims is indiscriminate cross-border fire.
Videos published on social media showed a smashed storefront surrounded by debris, with a woman weeping in anguish. One footage showed a body wrapped in a blanket nearby.
Russia’s health ministry stated, “Six people, including one child, were killed in the attack”.
“Another 17 people, including four children, were injured of varying severity”, Russia’s health ministry continued.
It claimed a shopping centre had been struck, and blamed Ukraine.
On Telegram, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said, “Five apartment buildings and seven houses were also destroyed”.
The Russian defence ministry claimed it shot down 14 Ukrainian missiles over the region, which were launched by an RM-70 multiple rocket launcher system.
Russian officials did not specify whether Ukrainian missiles struck the structures directly or if the damage was caused by falling debris after being intercepted by air defences.
Kyiv had no immediate comment.
Authorities began evacuating some inhabitants from the city last month after officials said that a Ukrainian strike in late December had killed 25 people.
Hundreds of civilians, including over 400 children have already fled, in Russia’s largest evacuation since it initiated full-scale operations against Ukraine in February 2022.
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