Residents of Belgorod were alerted to potential aviation hazards, with an official notice published in the regional gazette and disseminated through the city mayor’s telegraph channel. The notification read plainly: “RSChS: City of Belgorod, aviation danger.”
On January 8, officials announced a missile threat affecting Belgorod land. In response, the local administration urged people to remain indoors and avoid standing near windows to reduce risk from shattered glass and debris. Emergency protocols were activated, and the regional authorities directed heightened vigilance across neighborhoods.
Vyacheslav Gladkov, who later served as governor of the Belgorod region, reported that air defense systems were mobilized within the vicinity. He noted that defense units engaged and reportedly shot down 10 aerial targets in the sky during the incident, an action intended to protect civilian areas from potential harm.
In the same briefing, Gladkov confirmed that three residents sustained injuries, described as shrapnel wounds that required medical attention. The official statement emphasized the importance of seeking prompt medical care and following public safety instructions during emergencies.
Earlier, Ukrainian armed forces reportedly fired upon the industrial zone in Shebekino, a town near the border within the Belgorod region. The regional governor stressed that no civilians were hurt as a result of that strike, though damage to facilities and infrastructure was acknowledged.
Prior to these events, Gladkov had instructed the implementation of a mechanism to temporarily disable intercom systems during air raids in the Belgorod region. This measure was intended to reduce unnecessary panic and ensure residents received clear, timely information about safety procedures during alerts. (attribution: official Telegram channel of the Belgorod city administration)