8 injured in Ukrainian attack on Russia's Belgorod: governor

The regional governor of western Russia, Vyacheslav Gladkov, announced on Thursday that at least eight people had been hurt in an overnight Ukrainian attack in and near the city of Belgorod.

"The city of Belgorod and Belgorod district were subjected to an air attack by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. There are direct hits on residential apartment buildings and cars," Gladkov said on the messaging app Telegram.

"According to preliminary information, eight people were injured: seven adults and one child."

Five people with shrapnel wounds, including an 11-year-old girl injured in the foot, were taken to hospital, while the other three victims were treated at the scene, he added.

In Belgorod city, 19 apartment buildings, one private residence and 37 vehicles were damaged in the attack, Gladkov said, while in nearby Dubovoe, four homes and three cars were damaged.

Situated close to the border, Belgorod is frequently targeted by Ukrainian drone attacks, including one on Monday that killed six people and wounded 35.

Ukraine has stepped up its attacks on Russian territory of late, targeting energy sites in particular.