Six Killed in Ukrainian Attacks on Belgorod, Southern Russia

Local officials reported that at least six people were killed and dozens injured in Russian strikes targeting a crowded hardware store and a residential area in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv on Saturday. Regional governor Oleh Synehubov stated that six were killed after the store located in a residential area was hit by two guided bombs. He added that at least two of the deceased were employees of the store, and 40 individuals were injured, among them at least three in serious condition. Gladkov mentioned that the town of Shebekino, adjacent to the Ukrainian border, was later shelled, causing damage to windows and roofs of many homes. He later stated that air defense units intercepted and destroyed 29 aerial targets. The Russian Ministry of Defense also reported that air defense units intercepted and destroyed a Ukrainian drone over the neighboring Kursk region. Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this month stated that the incursion of Russian forces into the Kharkiv region aims to create a "buffer zone" to prevent cross-border attacks on Belgorod and other areas.