February 2024 Belgorod missile strike

On 15 February 2024, Ukraine fired several missiles at Russia’s Belgorod Oblast which borders the country. According to Russian officials, fourteen missiles were shot down but one hit and "heavily damaged" a shopping center in Belgorod city. Seven civilians, including a one-year-old girl, were killed, while 18 others were injured. Another missile struck a sports stadium.[1][2]

February 2024 Belgorod missile strike
Part of Attacks in Russia during the Russian invasion of Ukraine
LocationBelgorod, Belgorod Oblast, Russia
Date15 February 2024
Attack type
Airstrike
Deaths7 (including a 1-year-old girl)
Injured18
Perpetrator Armed Forces of Ukraine

Background

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Belgorod lies about 30 km (19 miles) from the border with Ukraine. On 30 December 2023, Belgorod was shelled by Ukrainian forces, killing 25 civilians and injuring 108.[3] The Russian Defense Ministry called the strikes a "terrorist attack" that would "not go unpunished",[4] launching 49 drones at Ukrainian cites the following days in retaliation.[5]

Strike

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Russian state media claimed that Ukraine fired several missiles at Belgorod Oblast and that 14 were shot down but one hit and "heavily damaged" a shopping center in Belgorod city killing seven civilians, including a one-year-old girl, and injuring 18 others. Another missile struck a sports stadium.[6] Videos posted on social media showed several ambulances parked outside a heavily damaged shopping centre with shattered windows.[7] Russia claimed the missiles were fired from a RM-70 multiple rocket launcher.[8] Ukraine has not commented on the strikes.[citation needed]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Deadly strike on Russian shopping centre near border". BBC News. 2024-02-15. Retrieved 2024-02-19.
  2. ^ "Russia says Ukrainian missile strike kills civilians in Belgorod". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-02-19.
  3. ^ Méheut, Constant; Nechepurenko, Ivan (2023-12-30). "Ukrainian Missile Attack on a Russian City Kills at Least 22, Officials Say". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-02-19.
  4. ^ "Strike on Belgorod that killed more than a dozen 'will not go unpunished', Russia says". France 24. 2023-12-30. Retrieved 2024-02-19.
  5. ^ https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/russia-launches-fresh-drone-strikes-ukraine-after-promising-106016635
  6. ^ "Seven killed in Ukrainian missile strike on Russia's Belgorod - governor". Reuters. Retrieved 2024-02-19.
  7. ^ "Ukraine war: Deadly strike on Russian shopping centre in Belgorod". Yahoo News. 2024-02-15. Retrieved 2024-02-19.
  8. ^ "6 people are killed, 18 injured by a missile strike in the Russian city of Belgorod, officials say". Washington Post. 2024-02-15. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2024-02-19.