On 13 August a ten-year-old girl was injured in a drone attack in Belgorod, Ukraine. Local authorities confirmed the incident, and the governor of the Belgorod region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, provided updates through official channels. Reports indicate that the drone strike targeted a residential area, and the blast was powerful enough to leave debris scattered and windows shattered in nearby buildings. The event is being investigated by regional security teams, who are working to determine the sequence of events and the origin of the attack.
Gladkov recalled that the previous day a drone had struck the facade of an apartment building on Yesenin Street. Moments after the impact, an explosion occurred, and a child happened to be under the windows at the moment of the blast. The governor described the situation as deeply troubling, emphasizing that civilian safety remains the top priority for the local administration and emergency responders on the ground.
Officials confirmed that the 10-year-old girl sustained a foreign object lodged in her right elbow joint, along with multiple cut wounds on her lower leg, forearm, and foot. The governor and medical authorities reported that the child was immediately transported to a hospital for treatment. Medical staff assessed her condition as stable and have been providing comprehensive care to address injuries and prevent complications while monitoring her recovery progress.
Authorities noted that the explosion damaged five apartments, with shattered windows and broken air conditioning units among the property damage. In addition, sixteen vehicles and an auxiliary building sustained damage as a consequence of the blast. Local responders have set up temporary safety perimeters around the affected areas to secure the scene and facilitate ongoing repair work and inspections by building engineers.
In ongoing briefings, regional health officials supplied additional details about the child’s condition. The chief physician of the regional children’s hospital, Andrey Tulinov, stated that the girl is currently in a moderately severe condition and will undergo surgical intervention in the near future to address the injuries and reduce the risk of infection or complications. Medical teams are preparing for a careful operation and will continue to monitor vital signs closely through the procedure and recovery period. The broader goal is to stabilize her condition and support a full rehabilitation plan as she heals.
The former First Deputy Mayor of Belgorod, Vasily Golikov, pledged that authorities will eliminate the consequences of the attack by the end of the week and restore the damaged residence by 20 August. He noted that reconstruction efforts will focus on safety improvements for residents and strengthening the perimeter to prevent further incidents, while coordinating with utility providers to ensure stable power and climate control for affected households as repairs proceed. Local officials are prioritizing rapid restoration of living conditions for families displaced or affected by the blast.
There has also been discussion regarding the broader context of the incident. A former fighter with the Armed Forces of Ukraine publicly commented on the challenges of accurately attributing causes during hostilities. He warned that misunderstandings can escalate tensions and called for careful verification of facts through official channels and credible investigative reporting. In Belgorod, authorities continue to stress the importance of verified information, safety, and orderly reconstruction as families begin the process of rebuilding their lives after the attack. The situation highlights the impact of ongoing conflict on civilian populations and the critical role of emergency services, medical teams, and local leadership in delivering timely aid and restoring essential services to affected neighborhoods.