Russian schools and shops have been shuttered following bombardments in the city of Belgorod, attributed to Ukraine by local authorities, as violence escalates.Belgorod governor Vyacheslav Gladkov reported two casualties and revealed that air defense systems intercepted eight Ukrainian missiles. Russian schools and shops face closures amidst the attacks, causing disruptions for Belgorod residents, especially students, with schools closed for two days and shopping centers shut down for a day.
Tragic scenes unfolded as one woman lost her life in a car park while walking her dog with her son, who now fights for survival under medical care. Social media images depict the aftermath of the bombardments, showing smoke and flames engulfing the car park. Belgorod, situated near the Ukrainian border, has been a recurrent target of retaliatory strikes from Kyiv, exacerbating tensions between the two nations.
Meanwhile, in the Samara region southeast of Moscow, Ukrainian drones reportedly targeted two oil refineries, resulting in a fire at one facility. Governor Dmitry Azarov confirmed the incident on Telegram, indicating no casualties but underscoring the ongoing conflict’s wide-reaching consequences. The assaults on Belgorod and the Samara region contribute to the turmoil surrounding Russia’s general election, with Vladimir Putin expected to secure another term amidst criticism of the electoral process’s lack of fairness and freedom. The absence of credible opponents, coupled with the exclusion of candidates opposed to Russia’s actions in Ukraine, underscores the challenges to democracy and dissent in Russia’s political landscape. Read More…
