Three people have been killed and at least nine others injured in Ukraine's latest attack on the Russian border region of Belgorod, according to its governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov.
The strike hit the village of Maslova Pristan early on Wednesday, Gladkov said. Emergency workers were searching for people feared trapped under rubble.
This incident marks the third consecutive day Ukraine has struck the region, resulting in power outages for thousands and at least two other fatalities.
Ukraine has yet to comment on these attacks but has consistently targeted Russian territory, including Belgorod, throughout the conflict.
Simultaneously, Russia's own strikes have led to power disruptions in various Ukrainian regions, according to Ukraine's energy regulator.
Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the fighting has increasingly spread beyond Ukrainian borders, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky noting that Russian forces are intensifying strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure as winter approaches.
Wednesday's series of drone and missile attacks reportedly caused extensive damage to homes, vehicles, and power lines across multiple districts in Belgorod, as described by Gladkov on Telegram.
He shared photographs illustrating the devastation, including a sports center with its roof and walls destroyed, while rescue teams worked to clear debris and evaluate the extent of damage.
In the nearby town of Moshchenoye, six individuals, including a child, suffered injuries when a rocket and drone targeted a truck, with another injury reported when a car was struck in Masychevo.
The ongoing assaults have created significant disruptions, affecting nearly 40,000 residents across seven municipalities due to power cuts.
Moreover, Ukraine's attacks on Russian oil refineries have surged recently, leading to fuel shortages and rising prices in several Russian regions. Reports indicate that at least 21 of Russia's major refineries have been targeted since January, causing a marked increase compared to the previous year.
Meanwhile, Russian air assaults on Ukraine persist, with reports of Ukraine intercepting numerous drones while enduring significant damages from those that did strike their targets.
Zelensky has vowed to prioritize the repair of energy infrastructure ahead of the harsh winter months, emphasizing the need to support communities facing severe hardships.
