Ukraine and Russia launched deadly attacks on each other’s territories early Wednesday, leaving at least five people dead, according to officials from both sides.
In Russia’s Belgorod region, near the Ukrainian border, a missile strike killed three people in the village of Maslova Pristan, about 15 kilometres from the frontier. Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said on Telegram that the attack caused part of a “social facility” to collapse, sharing photos of a shattered sports hall.
“Three people were killed and one was wounded,” he stated, adding that “there may be people under the rubble.”
Meanwhile, a Russian strike on the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson claimed the lives of an elderly couple, according to regional governor Oleksandr Prokudin.
He said, “As a result of the enemy strike, a 62-year-old woman and an elderly man, whose identity is currently being established, were fatally wounded.”
The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia launched at least 183 drones targeting various parts of Ukraine between late Tuesday and early Wednesday. In response, Moscow’s defence ministry claimed it had intercepted 53 Ukrainian drones, mostly over Belgorod, a region that has become a frequent target of Ukrainian attacks.
Both Moscow and Kyiv continue to deny targeting civilians. Ukraine has, however, intensified retaliatory strikes on Russia’s energy and oil infrastructure, describing them as a legitimate response to Moscow’s ongoing offensive and persistent bombardments on Ukrainian cities, assaults that have repeatedly left millions without heating or electricity.
What you should know
The cross-border attacks highlight the escalating cycle of strikes between Ukraine and Russia, with both sides increasingly targeting infrastructure deep inside enemy territory.
Belgorod, in particular, has become a flashpoint in the conflict, reflecting Ukraine’s growing capability to hit beyond the front lines.
