UN Security Council to convene as Russia vows 'punishment' after Ukrainian strike on Belgorod

AFP , Saturday 30 Dec 2023

The UN Security Council will convene Saturday at Russia's request to discuss what Moscow claims was a deadly Ukrainian strike on the city of Belgorod, the Russian mission to the UN said.

Belgorod
Belgorod lies about 30 kilometers (19 miles) from the border with Ukraine and has been repeatedly struck by what Moscow says is indiscriminate shelling by Kyiv s forces.

 

Three other council members, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the meeting to AFP.

"Today... at 4:00 pm New York (2100 GMT) time a meeting of the UN Security Council requested by Russia will take place in connection with the strikes on Belgorod," Russia's mission said on social media.

Russia accused Ukraine of targeting the city of Belgorod with missiles and rockets on Saturday, killing at least 14 people and wounding dozens more in an attack Moscow warned would "not go unpunished.

Belgorod lies about 30 kilometers (19 miles) from the border with Ukraine and has been repeatedly struck by what Moscow says is indiscriminate shelling by Kyiv's forces.

Unverified footage showed debris strewn across the street and smoke billowing from burnt-out cars in the city's centre, while a large blast can be heard in dashcam footage posted on social media.

AFP was not able to immediately verify the circumstances of the strike, one of the deadliest on Russian soil since Moscow launched hostilities against Ukraine in February 2022.

Two Vilkha missiles and Czech-made rockets were used in the attack, Russia said.

"According to updated information, 12 adults and two children were killed in Belgorod. Another 108 people, including 15 children, were injured," Russia's emergencies ministry said.

The Kremlin said President Vladimir Putin had been briefed on the incident, while the Russian foreign ministry accused the United States and Britain of "inciting the Kyiv regime to commit terrorist actions".

Ukraine, which has been resisting Russian invasion for nearly two years and earlier this week came under a huge Russian missile and drone assault, has not officially commented on the strike against Belgorod.

*This story was edited by Ahram Online

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