A major explosion in the Russian city of Belgorod caused an entire section of a 10-storey apartment building to collapse. The explosion was caught on CCTV, showing a large blast near the base of the building before it fell.

The blast in Belgorod, a city near the Ukrainian border, resulted in at least 19 injuries and the recovery of two bodies from the rubble. Rescue workers are still searching for survivors, with fears that more people may be trapped under the debris. Surrounding buildings have been evacuated due to safety concerns.

Vyacheslav Gladkov, the regional governor of Belgorod, blamed Ukraine for the explosion, stating that a Ukrainian shell was responsible. However, Ukrainian officials dispute this claim. One Ukrainian official suggested the explosion might have been caused by a guided bomb from a Russian plane that was intended for Ukraine but malfunctioned.

A resident of the building, speaking to Russian state news agency RIA Novosti, described the chaos. She said her husband was in their bedroom when the explosion occurred and was injured in the head and face. He didn’t have enough time to escape before the building collapsed.

The Russian Investigative Committee has launched a criminal investigation into the incident. Rescue operations are ongoing, with images showing rescuers removing debris by hand in search of survivors.

Belgorod, located near the border with Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, has been a frequent target of attacks since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022. Ukrainian forces have targeted the region before, but they have denied targeting civilians in their cross-border strikes

The explosion in Belgorod occurred amid intense battles in northeastern Ukraine. Russian forces have been making incursions into the Kharkiv region. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in his Sunday evening address, stated that these attacks are displacing thousands of people and are intended to stretch Ukrainian forces and lower their morale.

The Russian defence ministry claims that its forces have captured several villages in the Kharkiv region. However, Ukrainian forces are reportedly carrying out counter-attacks. The situation remains fluid and both sides continue to exchange blame and claims of military gains.

A large explosion in Belgorod led to the collapse of part of a 10-storey apartment building, resulting in injuries and deaths. Russia blames Ukraine, but Ukraine suggests the explosion might have been caused by a malfunctioning Russian bomb. The incident highlights the ongoing conflict and tension in the region, with both sides continuing to engage in military actions and counter-attacks. Rescue operations are ongoing, and the investigation is in its early stages.