Ukraine Drone Attacks in Russia’s Belgorod Region Result in Casualties
On Tuesday, multiple air attacks by Ukraine on the Belgorod region in southern Russia resulted in one fatality and four injuries, according to regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov. An elderly woman was killed in a village near Belgorod city, the administrative center, while four other individuals sustained injuries from shrapnel and downed drones. The Russian defense ministry reported that 29 Ukrainian-launched drones were intercepted by air defense systems. Scores of buildings and vehicles across the region sustained damage. Reuters could not independently verify these reports, and there was no immediate comment from Ukraine.
Russia Blocks European Media in Retaliation
Russia has blocked access to 81 European media outlets following an EU ban on several Russian publications. The ban affects outlets from 25 EU member states, including notable publications like France’s Le Monde, Germany’s Der Spiegel, and Ireland’s RTE. The Russian government described the move as a "proportional countermeasure" to the EU's actions. The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the decision, and U.S. officials cited concerns over the Russian government’s blockade of independent news. Moscow suggested it might lift the ban if restrictions on Russian media were reevaluated.