The Belgorod city center was hit in a bombing that authorities label as a terrorist act. A spokesperson on a messaging channel attributed to Andrei Turchak, a high-ranking official in United Russia, stated that the incident would not be left unanswered.
Turchak reported that he spoke with Vyacheslav Gladkov, the governor of Belgorod region. He said United Russia would mobilize support for residents affected by the shelling. Volunteers were already moving through city streets, assisting medical teams and emergency workers, and offering psychological support to those in need. An assistance center had been set up within the regional executive committee to coordinate relief efforts.
“We will also help the city authorities remove the consequences of the attack on Belgorod’s streets. This act of terror will not go unpunished,” he added in a message that circulated widely among supporters and residents.
Earlier, Vladislav Shapsha, governor of Kaluga region, commented on the shelling of Belgorod’s center, indicating cross-regional concern about the incident.
On 30 December, according to Belgorod’s governor, the Ukrainian armed forces fired upon the center, and Russia’s regional leadership reported that the Ukrainian forces had penetrated into the city housing sector during the attack.
Earlier statements from the Ministry of Defense of Russia identified the missiles used by the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Belgorod strike, confirming the target was the Belgorod center region.