Fires seen in Russia's Belgorod amid reported Ukrainian drone attack
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Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated.
Ukraine's military reportedly launched a wide-ranging drone attack on the Russian city of Belgorod overnight on Aug. 9, Russian Telegram media channels reported.
Photos and videos posted to social media purport to show fires at residential buildings within the city. Substantial damage was reported at several buildings.
While the target of the attack was not clear, independent Russian Telegram channel ASTRA, citing OSINT analysis, reported that a regional FSB headquarters was located between three damaged buildings. Another building struck was located approximately 600 meters away from the Belgorod Thermal Power Plant.
Acting Belgorod Oblast Governor Alexander Shuvaev claimed that the Ukrainian attack injured 13 people.
The Kyiv Independent could not verify the reports nor claims made by Russian officials. Ukraine's military has not commented on the reported attack.
The city of Belgorod has been a frequent target of Ukrainian attacks given its proximity to the front line. The city is located just 34 kilometers (21 miles) from Ukraine's northeastern border with Russia and lies approximately 70 kilometers (43 miles) from the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv.
In recent weeks, Russian forces have intensified ballistic missile attacks against Ukrainian cities, amid Ukraine's critical air defense shortage.
Overnight on Aug. 8, Russia launched an attack against Kyiv and the surrounding region, killing four people, including a three-year-old child, and injuring eight others.
