Key facts
- Twelve people, including two children, were injured in a drone attack on Belgorod.
- Several residential flats and over 15 cars caught fire.
- Ukrainian drone attacks on the Belgorod region have surged significantly.
- Three people were killed and nine injured in a separate strike on Maslova Pristan village.
- Ukrainian attacks have caused power outages affecting thousands of residents.
Twelve people, including two children, were injured in a drone attack on the Russian city of Belgorod, close to Ukraine's border, regional authorities reported early Monday. The attack also caused fires in several residential flats and over 15 cars. Reuters could not independently verify the report.
Residents of the Belgorod region have described increasingly frequent blackouts, air-raid sirens, and gunfire as Ukraine retaliates against repeated bombardments of its cities with cross-border strikes. One resident, Nina, recounted experiencing drone attacks, sirens, and automatic gunfire, stating, "The next day it all happened again - air defence fire, automatic gunfire, explosions."
Analysis based on data from local authorities indicates a nearly fourfold increase in Ukrainian drone attacks on the Belgorod region since the start of 2025. In September, over 4,000 Ukrainian drones were recorded, compared to around 1,100 in January 2025. The governor reported one of the largest strikes last month involved over 260 drones, with an increase in missile attacks also noted since the summer.
Ukrainian authorities state that the recent surge in attacks on Belgorod, some of which have caused significant blackouts, is a direct response to Russia's ongoing attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commented, "Maybe they should stop being too comfortable there in Belgorod? They must understand: if they want to leave us without power, then we will do the same."
Belgorod region serves as a key logistics corridor and staging hub for Russian forces near the Ukrainian border. While smaller towns experienced power cuts earlier in the war, the city of Belgorod was largely unaffected until autumn. Local student Ekaterina described receiving missile alerts and hearing loud explosions that caused lights to flicker and go out, leading to power cuts in neighbourhoods. Missiles reportedly hit the main Belgorod heat and power plant and a substation. While the city center's electricity was restored quickly, some suburbs remained without power until the next day, and across the region, approximately 77,000 people, or 5% of the population, were still without electricity.
In a separate incident, three people were killed and at least nine others injured in Ukraine's latest attack on the village of Maslova Pristan in the Belgorod region. This marks the third consecutive day of Ukrainian strikes on the region, resulting in thousands without power and at least two other deaths. Damage to homes, vehicles, and power lines was reported across multiple districts. Photographs showed a sports centre with its roof and walls destroyed. In the nearby town of Moshchenoye, six people, including a child, were injured when a truck was struck, and a man was hurt in Masychevo when a car was hit.
Ukraine has significantly increased attacks on Russian oil refineries in recent months, contributing to fuel shortages and price increases. At least 21 of Russia's 38 major refineries have been targeted since January. Meanwhile, Russian attacks on Ukraine continue, with Ukraine's air force reporting downing 154 drones on Wednesday, though 22 struck targets in 11 locations, causing fires and damage to civilian infrastructure. President Zelensky stated that Moscow is targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure ahead of winter and announced new funding for repairs and equipment reserves.