Rosalind Evans
Russia faced the repercussions of its ongoing war with Ukraine as shelling and drone strikes reached its territory. On Wednesday, a significant shelling attack caused injuries to four people in Belgorod, while a drone crash sparked a fire at an oil refinery further south.
In the border region of Belgorod, the shelling in the village of Shebekino damaged eight apartment buildings, four homes, a school, and two administrative buildings. The violence in the area has been escalating, making it a hotspot of unrest.
Earlier, an attack on a temporary accommodation center resulted in one fatality and two injuries, according to Gladkov.
Meanwhile, a drone crashed at the Ilsky oil refinery in the Krasnodar region, east of Crimea, causing a fire in the early hours of Wednesday. Local officials managed to extinguish the blaze quickly.
These incidents occurred a day after a drone attack on Moscow, which Russia attributed to Ukraine. All eight unmanned aerial vehicles launched at the Russian capital were destroyed, as the Russian Ministry of Defense reported.
Kyiv has not commented on the drone attack or the incidents in Belgorod and Krasnodar. The Ukrainian government generally refrains from confirming or denying strikes within Russian territory.
In another development, a drone attack targeted Russia’s Bryansk region, with about 10 drones attempting to attack the Klimovsky district. However, emergency services managed to shoot down or intercept the drones.
These events mark a new phase in the conflict, as anti-Putin Russians who had fought alongside the Ukrainian military staged an incursion on Belgorod last week. The conflict increasingly affects Russian civilians more than a year after Moscow’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.
Simultaneously, there have been separate strikes on Russian-occupied territories in Ukraine. In the Russian-occupied Ukrainian region of Luhansk, the village of Karpaty was shelled, resulting in five deaths and 19 injuries, according to the acting head of the self-declared Luhansk People’s Republic.
Additionally, there have been reports of explosions in Polohy, a Russian-held town close to the frontlines, which many observers anticipate being targeted in an expected Ukrainian counter-offensive.
While Russia describes the situation as “rather alarming,” Ukraine has denied involvement in the drone attack on Moscow. However, a top Ukrainian official hinted that Russia was experiencing the consequences of its actions.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov expressed concern over the situation in Belgorod, noting the ongoing shelling of civilian objects. Peskov also criticized the lack of condemnation from Western countries regarding these incidents.
As the US seeks more information about the coordinated drone incursions, the White House National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications, John Kirby, stated that the US does not support attacks on Russian soil.
Russian President Vladimir Putin attributed the drone attack in Moscow to Ukraine, labelling it as “terrorist activity.” He acknowledged the effectiveness of the city’s air defences but mentioned the need for further improvement.
Following the drone attack, the Freedom for Russia Legion, a group responsible for the recent raid in Belgorod, advertised a recruitment drive for drone pilots on their Telegram channel. The group, consisting of Russian citizens fighting against their motherland in Ukraine, jokingly offered the opportunity for graduates to practice their skills.
The Kremlin’s attempt to portray Russia as the victim did not find much sympathy in the West. UK military adviser Ian Stubbs criticized Russia’s strategy and highlighted its impact on Russia’s global reputation.
These incidents occur as Ukraine prepares for a highly anticipated counter-offensive against Russian forces, following days of missile bombardments on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities by Moscow.
The escalating conflict between Ukraine and Russia has taken a dangerous turn, with shelling and drone strikes now reaching inside Russian territory. As both sides blame each other for the attacks, the situation remains tense, and the potential for further violence looms. The international community watches with concern as civilians suffer the consequences of this prolonged and devastating war.
