Russia vows to halt Ukrainian shelling of Belgorod amid escalating tensions

In a statement on Tuesday, Russia declared its commitment to using all available measures to put an end to Ukrainian shelling in Belgorod, a border town that witnessed mass evacuations following deadly bombardments. The Defense Ministry reported the downing of four Ukrainian drones over western Russia, causing debris injuries at an oil facility in the Oryol region.

Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu asserted that Russian forces were steering the course of the front-line conflict, which has seen little change in nearly a year despite intense battles. Belgorod, with a population of around 340,000, faced an increase in fatal shelling attacks, leading to evacuations and school closures.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized Russia’s commitment to minimizing and eliminating the danger, accusing the Ukrainian military of targeting civilian areas with weapons allegedly supplied by European countries. Recent strikes on Belgorod have brought the Ukraine conflict closer to home for many Russians.

Aerial attacks from Kyiv last month resulted in 25 casualties, marking the deadliest assault on Russian civilians since the conflict began. The city’s air defense systems repelled multiple attacks overnight, causing damage to several homes.

Despite a static front line in Ukraine, Shoigu assured Russian defense officials of maintaining strategic initiative, accusing the United States of pressuring Ukraine to continue fighting. He claimed that Western support for Ukraine would only prolong the conflict.

In response to the escalating situation, the defense ministry announced plans to increase drone production in Russia. Ukrainian authorities reported an elevated death toll from a recent Russian strike in the west of the country, contributing to a nationwide barrage that claimed at least five lives and left dozens injured. Kyiv revised the toll from Russian strikes in December to 33 killed after the discovery of an additional fatality in the capital.