Russian Official Said Killed By 'Detonation' In Belgorod

Belgorod and nearby regions have been subjected to nearly daily shelling and drone strikes in recent months that Russia blames on Ukraine.

The governor of Russia's southern Belgorod region bordering Ukraine said on June 2 that a deputy district leader and Security Council secretary was killed and three other local officials suffered minor injuries when ammunition "detonated" in the Korochansky district, without elaborating. Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov also said via Telegram that six civilians were injured by shelling while most of them were traveling by bus in the city of Shebekino, which lies about 6 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. RFE/RL could not confirm the reports. The Russian Defense Ministry said two Ukrainian drones were shot down overnight over Belgorod and the neighboring Kursk region, and another over the Sea of Azov. Belgorod and nearby regions have been subjected to nearly daily shelling and drone strikes in recent months that Russia blames on Ukraine. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Russian Service, click here.