The governor of Russia’s Belgorod region said on Saturday that a Ukrainian strike had damaged a local dam, warning that continued attacks could lead to flooding in nearby border settlements.
In a statement posted on Telegram, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said the strike hit a reservoir dam, prompting concerns about structural integrity. He urged residents in parts of the Shebekino and Bezlyudovka districts to leave their homes and move to temporary shelters as a precaution.
“There is a risk of flooding if the strikes continue,” Gladkov said, adding that emergency services were assessing the damage and monitoring water levels.
Belgorod, which borders Ukraine’s eastern Kharkiv region, has frequently come under attack since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Kyiv did not immediately comment on the latest incident.
Separately, Russia’s Defence Ministry said its air defenses shot down 121 Ukrainian drones overnight, including seven reportedly heading toward Moscow. The ministry did not specify whether any of the drones caused damage or casualties.
Ukraine has stepped up its campaign of strikes deep inside Russian territory in recent weeks, targeting energy and industrial infrastructure. Western intelligence assessments suggest that up to 20 percent of Russia’s oil refining capacity has been temporarily taken offline as a result of these attacks.
The latest escalation underscores the growing reach of Kyiv’s long-range operations, even as both sides continue to exchange strikes across their shared border.
Source: Reuters
Written By Rodney Mbua
