Crisis Escalates in Belgorod: Ukrainian Strike Claims Three Lives

Wed Oct 22 2025 01:56:02 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In the ongoing conflict, Ukraine's missile attacks have left the Belgorod region reeling with casualties and destruction, raising concerns for residents as winter approaches.

In a tragic escalation of the conflict, Ukraine launched targeted strikes on Belgorod, resulting in three fatalities and multiple injuries. Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov reported extensive damage to infrastructure as emergency responders work to find those trapped under debris. This incident marks a series of attacks that have left thousands without power, highlighting the urgent humanitarian challenges ahead as winter looms.

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.

It is the third consecutive day Ukraine has struck the region, leaving thousands of people without power and at least two others dead.

Ukraine has not commented on the attacks but has repeatedly struck targets inside Russia, including Belgorod, during the war.

Russian strikes have also caused power outages in several Ukrainian regions, as Ukraine's energy regulator noted.

Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. As winter approaches, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that Russia is targeting Ukraine's critical energy-generating facilities, while Kyiv has been striking key Russian oil refineries.

Wednesday's drone and missile attacks damaged homes, vehicles, and power lines in multiple districts of Belgorod, according to Gladkov on Telegram.

He shared photographs from Maslova Pristan showing a sports center with its roof and walls blown apart, and stated that rescue workers were clearing debris and assessing the damage.

In the nearby town of Moshchenoye, six people, including a child, were injured when a rocket and drone struck a truck, while another person sustained injuries in Masychevo.

The strikes follow two days of similar attacks that have led to blackouts and structural damage in Belgorod city and surrounding areas. Videos verified by BBC Verify showed explosions and fires near a local power station late on Tuesday.

Almost 40,000 residents were affected by power cuts across seven municipalities, Gladkov reported.

Ukraine has significantly increased its attacks on Russian oil refineries in recent months, causing fuel shortages and price hikes in various regions. At least 21 of Russia's 38 major refineries have been struck since January, resulting in nearly half again as many attacks compared to all of 2024.

Meanwhile, Russian assault on Ukraine continues, with Ukraine's air force reporting that its defenses successfully shot down 154 drones, although 22 hit various locations. Debris from intercepted drones has caused fires and damage to civilian infrastructure.

Last week, at least five people were killed when Russia launched massive missile and drone attacks across nine regions of Ukraine. President Zelensky announced new funding to repair infrastructure and ensure energy availability during the cold season, emphasizing the need to support communities facing severe hardships.