At the United Nations, Russia has accused Kiev of committing a “terrorist attack” on civilians in Belgorod.
During an emergency meeting called for by Moscow on Saturday, Russia alleged that Ukraine carried out a “terrorist attack” against civilians in Belgorod. The U.N. Security Council was notified of this accusation.
Local authorities reported that Russia claimed that Ukraine launched missiles and rockets at the city of Belgorod, resulting in the death of 21 individuals and injuring many others, including 17 children.
According to Russian ambassador to the U.N. Vasily Nebenzya, the Kyiv regime carried out a terrorist attack on a civilian city.
He claimed that Kyiv deliberately targeted a sports center, an ice rink, and a university in order to cause more casualties in the terrorist attack by using cluster munitions.
He stated that it was a purposeful and non-selective assault on a non-military objective.
Ukrainian partners swiftly responded, stating that Russia had initiated the conflict.
According to Serhii Dvornyk, a counselor for the Ukrainian Mission to the United Nations, the death toll and amount of suffering will continue to increase as long as the war, initiated by the dictator in the Kremlin, persists.
American Congressman John Kelley squarely holds Russian President Vladimir Putin responsible.
He stated that this war belongs to Putin and it was his decision. He also mentioned that Russia has the power to stop this war immediately. We urge for the safety of all innocent people involved in any conflict.
On December 30, 2023, a photo was captured from a video released by the Russia Emergency Situations Ministry. The image depicts individuals aiding and moving an injured individual following a shelling incident in Belgorod, Russia. The location of the incident is about 30 kilometers (19 miles) away from the Ukraine border.
The British ambassador, Thomas Phipps, expressed deep regret for any civilian casualties, but also pointed out that Moscow initiated the war by invading two years ago.
According to him, there is a large number of Russian troops present in Ukraine, while there are no Ukrainian soldiers stationed in Russia.
He stated that if Russia is looking for someone to hold accountable for the fatalities of its citizens in this conflict, they should begin with President Putin.
Phipps also stated that Russia was responsible for deliberately attacking innocent civilians.
Nicolas de Riviere, the French representative, stated that Ukraine was merely protecting itself according to U.N. regulations, while Moscow was disregarding the principles of the U.N. Charter.
Ukraine, which has been defending against a Russian attack for almost two years and recently faced a significant Russian missile and drone attack, has not publicly addressed the strike on Belgorod.
Belgorod lies about 30 kilometers from the border with Ukraine and has been repeatedly struck by what Moscow says is indiscriminate shelling by Kyiv’s forces.
AFP was not able to independently verify the circumstances of the strike, one of the deadliest on Russian soil since Moscow launched hostilities against Ukraine in February 2022.
Source: voanews.com
