The head of the administration for the Shebekinsky urban district, Vladimir Zhdanov, issued a statement via a local telegraph channel detailing the events at a production facility in the Belgorod region. He explained that the site experienced damage from shelling and that an open fire broke out in the industrial area as a result. The blaze affected a building used for painting and varnishing, and observers noted a strong odor of burning materials lingering in the air nearby.
Zhdanov added that specialists from environmental and safety services had already been dispatched to the scene to take precise air quality measurements. Early indicators suggested elevated concentrations of combustion byproducts, and officials indicated they would monitor the situation to assess any potential health risks for residents and workers in the vicinity.
According to the administration, two industrial facilities in the Shebekino district sustained damage during the shelling operation. Immediately after the strikes, several local micro-regions reported interruptions to electricity supply, with power outages affecting parts of Shebekino and the surrounding settlements. In addition to the electricity blackout, the bombardment disrupted services in neighboring communities including Novaya Tavolzhanka, Shamino, and Arkhangelskoye, each experiencing an outage that affected essential infrastructure and daily routines for residents.
Former Belgorod regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov provided updates on the human impact, noting that four people suffered injuries during the attack on Shebekino. He stated that one of the injured individuals required intensive care, underscoring the seriousness of the incident and the ongoing vulnerability of the local population to such bombardments.
Local authorities have pledged ongoing monitoring and support for affected families, along with rapid restoration of electrical service where feasible. Emergency response teams remain on site to assess structural integrity, manage any further fire hazards, and coordinate with utility providers to restore power and essential services as safety conditions permit. Community leaders emphasized the importance of clear information for residents, urging them to follow official advisories and to seek medical attention if exposure to smoke or chemicals causes any symptoms. The broader response plan includes continued air quality testing, medical triage for those with injuries, and transparent communication about progress in cleanup and recovery operations.
In the wake of the incident, officials reiterated their commitment to maintaining public safety, protecting critical infrastructure, and delivering practical assistance to those displaced or affected by the disruption of services. Local residents were reminded to report any new symptoms, to avoid inhalation of smoke in heavily affected zones, and to rely on verified sources for updates as investigations proceed and the situation evolves.