14 killed in Belgorod attack as Russia vows punishment

MOSCOW: 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 kilometres (19 miles) from the border with Ukraine and has been repeatedly targeted by what Russia 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 blast.

“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. President Vladimir Putin has been briefed on the incident, the Kremlin said, while the Russian defence ministry warned the attack would “not go unpunished”.In the face of sustained Russian assaults, Ukraine is urging Western allies to maintain military support.

Ukraine presidential aide Andriy Yermak said Kyiv needed “more support and strength to stop this terror”