Approximately 9,000 kids will be evacuated from the Russian city of Belgorod and the broader area after the shooting that authorities have accused Ukraine of.
Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov has reported three injuries, including a child, in the latest attacks in the region bordering Ukraine. This incident has left parts of the region without power and adds to the toll of 16 killed and 98 wounded earlier in the week.
Impact on Daily Life
Recent strikes have prompted closures across Belgorod, with students ordered to stay home from school and shopping centers shuttered.
The new evacuation order extends to several villages in Belgorod city and surrounding areas, with the first group of 1,200 children set to be evacuated on Friday.
Military Response
Russia’s defense ministry claims to have shot down nine Ukrainian shells over Belgorod and conducted pre-emptive strikes on alleged Ukrainian “saboteurs” near the border with Belgorod and Kursk regions. Ukrainian border areas have also reported attacks, necessitating evacuations.
Political Context
Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused Kyiv of orchestrating attacks on the region to disrupt his re-election bid, despite his claimed landslide victory in a contest criticized as neither free nor fair.
Putin has called on the Federal Security Service to identify and punish pro-Ukrainian Russian fighters involved in attacks on Russia’s border regions, vowing to pursue them regardless of statute of limitations.
Ongoing Tensions
The situation in the Belgorod region reflects the broader tensions between Russia and Ukraine, with both sides engaged in military actions and accusations. The lack of resolution exacerbates concerns for the safety and stability of the region’s residents and underscores the need for diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict.