Three people have been killed and at least nine others injured in Ukraine's latest attack on the Russian border region of Belgorod, according to its governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov.
The strike hit the village of Maslova Pristan early on Wednesday, Gladkov said. Emergency workers were searching for people feared trapped under rubble.
This marks the third consecutive day Ukraine has targeted the region, resulting in thousands without power and at least two previous fatalities.
While Ukraine has not officially commented on these attacks, it has consistently targeted Russian assets during the ongoing conflict.
In retaliation, Russian strikes have also caused power outages in several Ukrainian regions, according to Ukraine's energy regulator.
Since the full-scale invasion launched in 2022, militaries from both nations have intensified their attacks. With winter approaching, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has indicated that Russia is increasingly targeting Ukraine's critical energy infrastructure, while Ukraine continues to focus on Russian oil refineries.
This latest barrage in Belgorod has left homes, vehicles, and power lines damaged across multiple districts. Gladkov shared photos showing significant destruction, including a sports center reduced to debris. Emergency responders remain active in assessing and clearing these affected areas.
In the nearby town of Moshchenoye, six people, including a child, were injured when a projectile hit a truck, while another individual sustained injuries from a car strike in Masychevo.
The Ukrainian forces have notably escalated attacks on Russian oil refineries, leading to fuel shortages and increased prices across various regions. Recent reports indicate that 21 of Russia's 38 major refineries have been struck since January, nearly half of the total number attacked during the entire year of 2024.
Meanwhile, Russian attacks continue indiscriminately in Ukraine. Recently, Ukraine's air defense successfully intercepted or disabled 154 drones, although 22 still managed to reach and impact various infrastructures across 11 locations, causing further civilian distress.
As the conflict persists, the humanitarian and infrastructural impacts continue to escalate on both sides, highlighting the dire need for resolution and peace.
