Russia accuses Kyiv of ‘terrorist’ attack on Belgorod civilians

During an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council requested by Moscow, Russia also accused Ukraine of using widely prohibited cluster munitions

Ukraine’s ambassador to the UN said that ‘as long as this war, unleashed by the Kremlin dictator, endures the toll of death … will continue to grow’

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Paramedics cover the body of a victim following what Russian authorities say was a Ukrainian military strike in Belgorod, Russia on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

Published: 7:14am, 31 Dec 2023Updated: 7:20am, 31 Dec 2023

Russia accused Ukraine on Saturday of conducting a “terrorist attack” on civilians in Belgorod and using widely prohibited cluster munitions, making the claim during an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council requested by Moscow.

Russia said Ukraine attacked the city of Belgorod with missiles and rockets, killing at least 21 people and wounding dozens more, including 17 children, according to local authorities.

Firefighters work to extinguish burning cars following what Russian authorities say was a Ukrainian military strike in Belgorod, Russia on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

It was “a terrorist attack by the Kyiv regime against a civilian city,” Russia’s ambassador to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya said.

“In order to increase the number of casualties of the terrorist attack they used cluster munitions,” he continued, claiming that Kyiv targeted a sports centre, an ice rink and a university.

“(It was a) deliberate, indiscriminate attack against a civilian target.”

“UN Security Council members have an opportunity to do their duty and assess the damage done to a Russian city, Belgorod,” Nebenzya added, holding up a QR code linking to what he said was video of the attack’s aftermath.