Belgorod has come under frequent attack throughout the conflict, launched by Russia in February 2022, and President Vladimir Putin said he ordered a major ground offensive on Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv region last month to create a buffer zone.

"The night in Belgorod region was unsettling. Four people were wounded after attacks by Ukraine's armed forces. In total over the last 24 hours, 15 civilians have been injured," Belgorod governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said in a video message posted on Telegram.

He also reported the body of an elderly woman, killed by a strike, had been discovered by emergency services on a round of routine inspections, though he did not say when the hit occurred.

"A destroyed private house was found in the village of Belovskoe. An elderly woman died as a result of a direct hit to the house," he said.

Russia's defence ministry reported a wave of Ukrainian drone attacks overnight.

"Anti-air defence systems destroyed 29 drones over the Belgorod region and one over Voronezh," it said Tuesday.

Russia has pounded Ukraine with aerial attacks on an almost daily basis for the 28 months since it ordered troops into its neighbour.

Kyiv has retaliated with waves of aerial strikes, usually with explosive-packed drones targeting Russia's energy and military facilities.