At least 18 people, including two children, have been killed and over 110 injured in the shelling of the Russian border city of Belgorod. Russian officials have accused Kyiv of carrying out the attack, which came a day after a Russian barrage across Ukraine killed 39 people. Russia’s foreign ministry has requested a UN Security Council meeting to discuss the “indiscriminate” shelling of Belgorod. Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials reported shooting down 32 Russian drones and confirmed cross-border shelling that killed two people in Russia. Russia continued its drone strikes against Ukraine, while Ukrainian forces reported shooting down 10 drones. The recent aerial assault by Russia on Ukraine is estimated to have cost up to $1 billion. Russian missiles and drones targeted military facilities, transport hubs, and defense infrastructure. Ukraine’s defense industry was likely a priority target, as it seeks weapons and ammunition to prevail in its war with Russia. The attack on Belgorod targeted critical infrastructure, industrial and military facilities, as well as a maternity hospital, flat blocks, and schools. Poland’s defense forces claimed that an unknown object, believed to be a Russian missile, had entered its airspace. However, the Russian ambassador denied the allegations, stating that no proof was provided.
