Fresh strikes in the Russian border province of Belgorod, which borders Ukraine, killed two people on Saturday, according to the regional governor, as Moscow accused Kyiv of ratcheting up attacks amid the ongoing presidential election.
“Very sad news, two people died, a man and a woman,” Vyacheslav Gladkov wrote on Telegram, adding that Russian forces had downed eight missiles in the region.
He claimed the male died when his truck was hit, and the woman died in a parking lot. Gladkov stated that medics “are battling to save his life” after her kid was gravely hurt.
Two others were injured.
The defense ministry of Russia had earlier claimed to have shot down drones, missiles, and rockets in the Belgorod and Kursk border areas.
In response to many deadly Ukrainian airstrikes on Belgorod and Kursk, which have also experienced intense fighting in recent days with pro-Kyiv sabotage groups, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday pledged a severe retaliation.
“These strikes by the enemy do not and will not go unpunished,” the long-time Russian leader said in comments aired on state-run television.