30 December 2023 Belgorod shelling
 | This article documents a current event. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses, and initial news reports may be unreliable. The latest updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. (December 2023) |
| 30 December 2023 Ukrainian strikes on Russia | |
|---|---|
| Part of the Russian invasion of Ukraine | |
| Location | Belgorod, Belgorod Oblast,  Russia |
| Date | 30 December 2023 (UTC+3) |
Attack type | Airstrikes |
| Deaths | 21 |
| Injured | 110 |
| Perpetrators |  Ukraine (Russian claims) |
On 30 December 2023, during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the city of Belgorod in Russia was allegedly shelled by Ukrainian forces, killing 21 people and wounding over 100.[1][2] Russia also reported that they had shot down drones in other Russian cities the same day.[3] The incident occurred a day after Russia had struck multiple cities in Ukraine.
Attacks
The attack on Belgorod, which lies 40 kilometers from the border with Ukraine, took place in daylight. The Russian Defense Ministry claimed that Czech-made Vampire rockets and Olkha missiles fitted with cluster-munition warheads were used[1] and were believed to have originated from a multiple rocket launcher in Kharkiv Oblast.[4] Among locations reportedly targeted were an ice skating rink located in the city's Cathedral Square, a shopping center, a sports center, and a university.[5][4]
Twenty-one people, including three children,[6] were reported to have been killed in the attacks, while 110 people,[3] including 17 children, were injured.[5]
A source from the Ukrainian security services told the BBC that its forces had launched more than 70 drones against Russian military targets in "response to Russia's terrorist attacks on Ukrainian cities and civilians", and attributed events in Belgorod to the "incompetent work of Russian air defence", which led to falling fragments.[7]
Other incidents
On the same day, Russian officials claimed that 32 Ukrainian drones were shot down over Moscow, Bryansk, Oryol, and Kursk Oblasts. They also claimed that two people, including a nine-year old child were killed and four others were injured in separate instances of shelling in Bryansk and Belgorod Oblasts.[1]
Reactions
The Kremlin said Russian President Vladimir Putin had been briefed on the attacks, and that health minister Mikhail Murashko would join a team of emergency workers to Belgorod.[1] At an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council, Russian ambassador Vasily Nebenzya denounced the attacks, to which Ukraine and its allies responded by blaming Putin for starting the war.[5] UN assistant secretary-general Mohamed Khiari said he "unequivocally condemned" both the attacks on Ukraine on 29 December and the attack on Belgorod and said strikes against civilians and civilian infrastructure "violate international humanitarian law, are unacceptable and must end now".[7]
The Russian Ministry of Defence vowed to avenge the attack while continuing to attack only "military facilities and infrastructure directly related to them."[8] Foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said to the Russian news agency TASS that the United Kingdom and the United States were culpable for the "terrorist attack" on Belgorod because they "incite the Kyiv regime to carry out terrorist actions." She also accused European Union countries that supply weapons to Ukraine of responsibility.[9]
See also
- 2022 Crimean Bridge explosion
- July 2023 Crimean Bridge explosion
- 2022 missile explosion in Poland
- 2023 Belgorod accidental bombing
- 2023 Belgorod Oblast incursions
- 29 December 2023 Russian strikes on Ukraine
References
- ^ a b c d "Shelling kills 21 in Russia's city of Belgorod following Moscow's aerial attacks across Ukraine". AP News. 2023-12-30. Retrieved 2023-12-30.
- ^ Méheut, Constant; Nechepurenko, Ivan (2023-12-30). "Ukrainian Missile Attack on a Russian City Kills at Least 20, Officials Say". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-12-30.
- ^ a b "Shelling kills 21 in Russia's city of Belgorod following Moscow's aerial attacks across Ukraine". ABC News. Retrieved 2023-12-30.
- ^ a b "Russia says 20 dead after 'indiscriminate' Ukrainian strikes on Belgorod". Reuters. 2023-12-31. Retrieved 2023-12-31.
- ^ a b c "Russia accuses Kyiv of 'terrorist' attack on Belgorod civilians". France 24. 2023-12-30. Retrieved 2023-12-31.
- ^ "Russia Accuses Ukraine of 'Terrorist' Attack on Belgorod, Vows Revenge". The Moscow Times. 2023-12-30. Retrieved 2023-12-31.
- ^ a b "Ukraine war: Kremlin says 20 dead after attack on Russian city". BBC. 2023-12-30. Retrieved 2023-12-31.
- ^ "Ukraine shelling of Belgorod will "not go unpunished", Russia warns". The Guardian. 30 December 2023. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
- ^ "Live: Russia says 14 dead after Ukraine strikes border city". BBC News. 30 December 2023. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
