A missile strike on the Russian city of Belgorod near the Ukraine border has claimed the lives of five people, including a child, and left 18 others injured, according to a Russian official. This incident marks the latest exchange of long-range missile and rocket fire between the two countries. The attack on Belgorod follows an earlier strike by Russia, where cruise and ballistic missiles were fired at multiple regions in Ukraine. Tragically, four people lost their lives in an apartment building as a result of this midnight strike in Ukraine's northeast.
Out of the 18 people injured in Belgorod, five were children, as reported by regional Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov. The attack targeted a shopping center and a school stadium, causing significant casualties and damage. Roman Starovoit, the governor of Russia's Kursk region neighboring Belgorod, provided further details on the attack through Telegram, expressing his concern over the number of dead and wounded.
The Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed that air defense systems successfully intercepted and destroyed 14 missiles over the Belgorod region. These missiles were purportedly launched by Ukraine using an RM-70 Vampire multiple launch rocket system. The city of Belgorod, located just 25 miles from the Ukrainian border, has been a recurring target of Ukrainian fire, causing anxiety among its residents. Earlier this year, an attack during Russia's New Year holiday weekend resulted in numerous casualties.
These frequent cross-border missile attacks have undermined President Vladimir Putin's attempts to reassure Russians that life in the country is proceeding normally. Meanwhile, in Ukraine, there were five injuries reported in the nighttime attack on the city of Chuhuiv, situated in the Kharkiv border region.
In a separate round of attacks, the Russian missiles targeted various locations, including the capital city Kyiv, the southern Zaporizhzhia region, and Lviv in western Ukraine. The Ukrainian air force reported successfully intercepting 13 out of the 26 missiles fired across the country. Notably, these long-range bombardments are occurring amidst an ongoing war that is predominantly characterized by trench and artillery warfare, resulting in significant destruction but limited impact on the 1,500-kilometer front line.
Ukraine's President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has emphasized the need to enhance the country's air defense systems. On Friday, he is set to sign a bilateral security agreement in France as part of his efforts to secure continued Western military support. President Zelenskyy will also hold talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin on the same day. Moreover, he is scheduled to deliver a speech at the annual Munich Security Conference on Saturday, where he will meet and hold discussions with US Vice President Kamala Harris, European leaders, and prominent business figures.
The Russian missile strikes on Thursday employed a variety of weaponry, including Iskander ballistic missiles, Kalibr cruise missiles, guided aviation missiles, and adapted S-300 anti-aircraft missiles.
It is worth noting that Ukraine has also targeted Russian territory deep behind the front line. Recently, a Ukrainian drone attack caused a fire at an oil depot in Russia's Kursk region. Fortunately, no casualties were reported. The Russian bombardment came just a day after Ukraine's military claimed to have used high-tech naval drones to sink a Russian navy ship in the Black Sea, marking a significant success for Ukraine ahead of the second anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022.
Apart from Belgorod, other regions in Ukraine, such as the southern Zaporizhzhia region and Lviv, experienced the impact of these long-range attacks. In the Zaporizhzhia region, four people were injured, and public infrastructure was damaged. Explosions were also heard in the capital city, Kyiv. In Lviv, the attacks damaged two schools, a kindergarten, and 18 residential buildings, resulting in three injuries, according to Mayor Andrii Sadovyi.
In response to the escalating situation, neighboring Poland's army has taken necessary measures to ensure the safety of the country's airspace. Polish and allied aircraft have been activated, potentially leading to increased noise levels, particularly in the southeastern part of the country, as stated by the army's Operational Command.
The ongoing missile exchanges between Ukraine and Russia have not only claimed lives and caused destruction but have also added to the mounting tensions in the region. Efforts to secure international support and bolster defense systems are crucial for Ukraine's ability to withstand the range of attacks being launched by Russia. As the conflict continues, the international community closely watches the situation, hoping for a peaceful resolution to restore stability in the region.
