News from Belgorod Region: Attacks in Soloti and City Center Incidents
The village of Soloti, situated in the Valuysky urban district of the Belgorod region, was subjected to shelling by Ukrainian forces. The regional administration led by Vyacheslav Gladkov reported the incident on his Telegram channel, noting preliminary details about the event and its impact.
Initial information indicated that there were no reported fatalities. However, the assault caused material damage to property in Soloti, with two private homes sustaining broken windows and damaged roofs. A power line was also affected by the bombardment, disrupting local utilities and potentially impacting nearby residents.
The region’s emergency and operational services stated that rescue and recovery efforts were underway. Officials affirmed that search operations were continuing to assess the extent of the damage and to provide assistance where needed. In a subsequent update, authorities confirmed that the Belgorod air defense system had engaged targets during the night, with nine missiles intercepted. The Ministry of Defense added that Russian air defense on duty shot down two Tochka-U missiles and seven Vilkha MLRS projectiles, underscoring ongoing defense measures in the area.
Earlier reports indicated that the Ukrainian Armed Forces had struck Belgorod’s city center. The Shot Telegram channel described bombardments in Cathedral Square, Grazhdansky Boulevard, Bohdan Khmelnytsky Street, and a store building on Popov Street. A number of vehicles were damaged or burned in the city center, and Mash reported an attack on the Mayak shopping center area, which also hosts New Year’s celebrations and the regional government offices.
In response to the incidents, all festive events in Belgorod were canceled, and the regional government announced a 24-hour operational mode to manage safety and public order. The international community has repeatedly emphasized the protection of civilian infrastructure and noncombatants. The United Nations underscored that attacks on civilian facilities and persons infringe international humanitarian law and called for such acts to be condemned and halted immediately.
Meanwhile, U.S. authorities observed and commented on the shelling of Belgorod, reflecting ongoing assessments by the international community regarding this evolving situation. Statements from government channels and international organizations continue to shape the broader discussion around civilian safety, cross-border hostilities, and the humanitarian implications of the conflict.
As events unfold, regional officials and residents seek to navigate the immediate dangers while authorities coordinate relief, repair, and protective measures for the affected communities. The situation highlights the fragile balance between security operations and civilian well-being in border regions facing persistent military activity. Attribution for the information in this report comes from regional authorities and independent monitoring channels with ongoing coverage from international observers (attribution: regional authorities; independent monitors; international bodies).