Ukrainian bombardment hits Russian city of Belgorod
By Victoria Safronova
BBC News Russian
1 hour ago
Last Saturday, the city of Belgorod experienced a deadly attack from Ukrainian cross-border missile strikes. This attack marked the deadliest strike on Russian soil since the beginning of the war. Twenty-five people were killed and more than 100 others were injured in the largest Russian city in close proximity to Ukraine.
The missile strikes came just a day after Russia launched its largest aerial bombardment of Ukraine, resulting in more than 40 deaths. In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Russia had launched 500 missiles and drones against Ukraine in just five days.
President Vladimir Putin vowed that Ukraine’s targeting of Belgorod would not go unpunished. However, the city’s residents accuse authorities of not doing enough to keep people safe. Air raid alerts were only audible half an hour into Saturday’s attack, and residents reported that many basement shelters in their apartment blocks were locked.
The problem of sheltering from attacks extends into Ukraine as well, where bombardments are more frequent and widespread. During the winter, Russian attacks largely take place at night, leaving Ukrainians with the choice of sleeping in metro stations or taking their chances at home.
In Belgorod, residents are frustrated with the lack of information regarding shelters and emergency response protocols. One woman took to social media to complain that the emergencies ministry’s regional department knew nothing about shelters, asking how visitors to the city would know where to take cover during an attack.
Residents of Stary Oskol, a town 180km from the Ukrainian border, echoed these concerns and stated that the local administration is not taking action to address the issue.
Issues with Belgorod’s shelters have been ongoing since the start of the war, with some residents pointing out that the lack of accessible bomb shelters has only come to light since casualties occurred. The revelation of official bomb shelter locations was deemed risky, as it could make them a target for the Ukrainian military.
Residents have taken it upon themselves to aid one another during attacks, with many leaving the doors to their housing blocks open so that people could seek refuge from the street.
The regional governor has not publicly responded to residents’ complaints. Before the war, Belgorod historically had close ties with the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, which is on the other side of the border. The ongoing shelling from the Belgorod region into Kharkiv has had a profound impact on this border area in Russia.
As the conflict continues, residents are wondering what changes will be implemented to improve their safety as they navigate the ongoing threat of attacks.
The BBC has approached the office of the regional governor for comment but has yet to receive a reply.