Belgorod in blackout as blasts cripple power, water, and heat
Illustrative photo: aftermath of the attack (Getty Images)
On the night of March 25, Belgorod shook from a series of powerful explosions. It has emerged that energy infrastructure facilities were seriously damaged in the attack, according a post on the Telegram channel of the region’s governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov.
A series of explosions rang out in the Russian city of Belgorod overnight on March 25 amid a declared missile threat. According to local sources, the explosions began around 4:30 a.m., after which electricity was lost or temporarily cut in some areas of the city, and flashes were visible in the sky.
Local authorities claimed that the city and the Belgorod district had allegedly come under rocket fire from Ukraine. According to Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov, energy infrastructure facilities were damaged, causing disruptions to electricity, water, and heating supplies.
Preliminary reports indicate no casualties.
Emergency services are working at the sites. The Russian authorities have promised to provide a more precise assessment of the scale of damage to the aggressor’s facilities a little later.
The Belgorod region serves as a key logistics hub for the Russian forces that are shelling Kharkiv and border communities in the Sumy region. Strikes on energy facilities in this region significantly complicate enemy logistics and the operation of Russian military enterprises.
Russian public channels and propaganda resources have speculated that the strike may have been carried out with Western-made missiles (specifically HIMARS), though there has been no official confirmation from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine regarding the type of weaponry used.
Strikes on Russia
In recent months, a series of strikes on energy and fuel infrastructure have been recorded on Russian territory, particularly in border and rear regions. Power generation facilities, oil depots, and logistics hubs are the most frequent targets.
Throughout February and March, there were several reports of missile and drone attacks on Belgorod. According to Russian authorities, a thermal power plant and electrical substations were damaged, leading to disruptions in electricity, water, and heating in the city.
Following the overnight strikes on March 14–15, parts of the city remained without power, water, or heat, and fires were reported at energy facilities.
In addition to energy infrastructure, attacks have also targeted oil depots and logistics hubs. For instance, in Krasnodar Krai, an oil depot that supplied the front lines exploded.
