Blasts kill three in Russian city near Ukraine border

The city of Belgorod close to the Ukrainian border has been a recurring target for Ukrainian forces, who describe the attacks as payback and 'karma' for Russia's invasion
Reuters|
At least three people were killed and dozens of residential buildings damaged in the Russian city of Belgorod near the Ukraine border, the regional governor said, after reports of several blasts in the city.
  • Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter

  • At least 11 apartment buildings and 39 private houses were damaged, including five that were destroyed, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov posted on the Telegram messaging app.
    2 View gallery
    מחסן נפט עולה באש בבלגורוד ברוסיה
    מחסן נפט עולה באש בבלגורוד ברוסיה
    Oil depot on fire in Belgorod
    (Photo: AFP)
    Senior Russian lawmaker Andrei Klishas accused Ukraine of shelling Belgorod and called for a military response.
    "The death of civilians and the destruction of civilian infrastructure in Belgorod are a direct act of aggression on the part of Ukraine and require the most severe - including a military - response," Klishas wrote on Telegram.
    Gladkov said earlier the "incident" was being investigated, adding, "Presumably, the air defense system worked."
    At least four people were injured and two hospitalized, including a 10-year-old boy, Gladkov said.
    Belgorod, a city of nearly 400,000 some 40 km (25 miles) north of the border with Ukraine, is the administrative center of the Belgorod region.
    2 View gallery
    טנק רוסי במריופול
    טנק רוסי במריופול
    A Russian tank
    (Photo: Reuters)
    Since Russia launched it invasion on Feb. 24, there have been numerous reports of attacks on Belgorod and other regions bordering Ukraine, with Moscow accusing Kyiv of carrying out the strikes.
    Ukraine has not claimed responsibility for previous attacks but has described the incidents as payback and "karma" for Russia's invasion.
    Moscow calls its actions a "special military operation" to disarm Ukraine and protect it from fascists. Ukraine and its allies in the West say the fascist allegation is baseless and the war is an unprovoked act of aggression.
    Comments
    The commenter agrees to the privacy policy of Ynet News and agrees not to submit comments that violate the terms of use, including incitement, libel and expressions that exceed the accepted norms of freedom of speech.
    ""