In Belgorod, authorities placed a reinforced concrete modular structure in the city center to safeguard residents from shelling amid ongoing hostilities that intensified at the end of December. This shelter is positioned near a bus stop adjacent to a prominent city store and the central market, making it accessible to people moving through the heart of Belgorod. The installation comprises five concrete slabs arranged and fastened to form a compact, protective box. Inside, an additional concrete barrier was installed to reduce the risk of debris and fragments entering through the entrance opening. The exterior has a white finish, and the word Shelter is clearly painted on its facade [RIA News].
The project drew attention from Vyacheslav Gladkov, the region’s former governor, who indicated that officials would evaluate placing more modular shelters in the regional capital at other public transport hubs. He noted that the structures are being produced for the Ministry of Defense and suggested a broader deployment if the pilots show promise and community need is confirmed [RIA News].
Residents of Belgorod had previously discussed ways to fortify public spaces, including proposals to cover glass pavilions with solid foundation wall blocks, a note that was supported by the regional leadership. As a result, the stop in the Cosmos district was among the first to receive protection measures, being shielded with sandbags. In his remarks, Gladkov highlighted that nine bus stops had sandbags placed and five stops were protected with concrete slabs, signaling a step toward more comprehensive sheltering across the city [RIA News].
Separately, officials from the Ministry of Health provided updates on the situation of shelling victims in Belgorod, underscoring ongoing responses and the need to address medical and humanitarian concerns arising from the attacks [RIA News].