Russia blames Ukraine as Belgorod apartments collapse after blast
Russia is attributing the collapse of a section of an apartment building in Belgorod to a strike allegedly carried out by Ukraine. CCTV footage captured a significant explosion near the base of the 10-story structure, resulting in its collapse.
According to the regional governor, two fatalities have been confirmed, and at least 19 individuals have sustained injuries.
Belgorod, situated close to the Ukrainian border near Kharkiv, has become a focal point following Moscow’s recent military offensive in Ukraine.
The region has been subject to attacks by Ukrainian forces since Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022. While Ukrainian authorities have previously stated that cross-border strikes avoid civilian targets, Belgorod’s governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov, has accused Ukraine of bombarding the area, citing a Ukrainian shell as the cause of the explosion.
However, Kyiv has expressed skepticism regarding this claim, with one official proposing that the explosion may have resulted from a guided bomb dropped by a Russian aircraft, intended for Ukraine but malfunctioning due to unopened glide wings.
Images from the site depict rescuers manually clearing debris in search of survivors, prompting the evacuation of surrounding residences over concerns of further collapse. Mr. Gladkov has additionally stated that individuals are believed to be trapped beneath the rubble.
One resident told Russian state news agency RIA Novosti her husband was in their bedroom in the building when the blast went off and was injured in the head and face. “He did not have the time” to escape, she said.
A spokesperson for the Russian Investigative Committee said a criminal case has been launched.
The incident comes as “intense battles” continue just across the border in north-eastern Ukraine, where Russian forces have made incursions into the Kharkiv region.
In his evening address on Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the Russian offensive has displaced thousands.
“The idea behind the attacks in the Kharkiv region is to stretch our forces and undermine the morale and motivation of the Ukrainians’ ability to defend themselves,” he added.
The defence ministry in Moscow claims its forces have captured a number of villages there, while Kyiv says it has been carrying out counter-attacks.
