Belgorod hit by missile attack, city left without power, heat and water
Photo: Governor confirms loss of power, heating and water (Getty Images)
On Thursday evening, February 26, Russia’s Belgorod was again hit by unidentified missiles. Following the strikes, the city and parts of the region were left without electricity, heating, and water, according to Russian channels.
Read also: Russia's Belgorod drains heating systems amid energy strikes and deep freeze
Residents told the SHOT outlet that a series of explosions over the city began at 11:50 PM local time. Power outages were reported in residential buildings across the central and northern districts. Electricity supply issues were also recorded in the town of Budivelnyk and the settlement of Travneve.
At the same time, videos circulating on social media captured the sound of explosions. According to residents, there were around 10 blasts in total. Some channels claimed the missiles were heading toward the Frunzenskaya electrical substation and that the Belgorod thermal power plant was also targeted.
Shortly afterward, regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov officially confirmed the missile strike, stating that problems in Belgorod and the wider district extended beyond electricity outages.
"Energy infrastructure facilities sustained serious damage. As a result, interruptions were recorded in electricity, water supply, and heating. The full scale of the damage will be assessed in daylight," Gladkov wrote.
Strikes on Belgorod
Belgorod has faced repeated attacks throughout February, causing recurring disruptions across the city and region.
For example, on February 7, residents reported missile strikes on the Belgorod electrical substation and the Luch thermal power plant, after which power outages affected the regional center and surrounding district, along with heating disruptions.
The following morning, Gladkov said electricity and heating would be restored by midday, but later indicated residents could remain without heating for an unspecified period. Authorities subsequently decided to drain water from heating systems.
On February 14, Gladkov stated that Belgorod would remain without heating until the end of the heating season, effectively until April.
