On 15 February 2024, Ukraine fired several missiles at Russia’s Belgorod Oblast which borders the country. According to Russian officials, fourteen missiles were shot down but one hit and "heavily damaged" a shopping center in Belgorod city. Seven civilians, including a one-year-old girl, were killed, while 18 others were injured. Another missile struck a sports stadium.[1][2]
Background
Belgorod lies about 30 km (19 miles) from the border with Ukraine. On 30 December 2023, Belgorod was shelled by Ukrainian forces, killing 25 civilians and injuring 108.[3] The Russian Defense Ministry called the strikes a "terrorist attack" that would "not go unpunished",[4] launching 49 drones at Ukrainian cites the following days in retaliation.[5]
Strike
Russian state media claimed that Ukraine fired several missiles at Belgorod Oblast and that 14 were shot down but one hit and "heavily damaged" a shopping center in Belgorod city killing seven civilians, including a one-year-old girl, and injuring 18 others. Another missile struck a sports stadium.[6] Videos posted on social media showed several ambulances parked outside a heavily damaged shopping centre with shattered windows.[7] Russia claimed the missiles were fired from a RM-70 multiple rocket launcher.[8] Ukraine has not commented on the strikes.[citation needed]
See also
- Timeline of the Russian invasion of Ukraine (1 December 2023 - present)
- 30 December 2023 Belgorod shelling
References
- ^ "Deadly strike on Russian shopping centre near border". BBC News. 2024-02-15. Retrieved 2024-02-19.
- ^ "Russia says Ukrainian missile strike kills civilians in Belgorod". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-02-19.
- ^ Méheut, Constant; Nechepurenko, Ivan (2023-12-30). "Ukrainian Missile Attack on a Russian City Kills at Least 22, Officials Say". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-02-19.
- ^ "Strike on Belgorod that killed more than a dozen 'will not go unpunished', Russia says". France 24. 2023-12-30. Retrieved 2024-02-19.
- ^ https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/russia-launches-fresh-drone-strikes-ukraine-after-promising-106016635
- ^ "Seven killed in Ukrainian missile strike on Russia's Belgorod - governor". Reuters. Retrieved 2024-02-19.
- ^ "Ukraine war: Deadly strike on Russian shopping centre in Belgorod". Yahoo News. 2024-02-15. Retrieved 2024-02-19.
- ^ "6 people are killed, 18 injured by a missile strike in the Russian city of Belgorod, officials say". Washington Post. 2024-02-15. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2024-02-19.
