A Ukrainian strike on Belgorod leaves five dead, while a Russian raid results in injuries to several journalists, intensifying the ongoing conflict between the two nations.

Officials in the Russian region have reported that a Ukrainian strike on Belgorod overnight resulted in the death of five individuals with 13 others being injured.

On Sunday morning, Vyacheslav Gladkov, the Regional Governor, informed through Telegram messaging app that three minors were among those injured in an assault on Rakitnoye settlement and revealed the number of casualties.

Gladkov stated that they are committed to assisting all those who have suffered and emphasized the need for resilience in enduring difficulties, overcoming challenges, and managing adversity.

Two weeks ago, Kyiv surprised everyone by launching a ground offensive into Russia’s Kursk region and has since escalated its strikes within Russian territory.

Due to Ukrainian bombardments, Gladkov declared a state of emergency in the region in mid-August.

In reaction to the Kursk incursion, Russia’s Ministry of Defence stated that they would be dispatching additional troops to safeguard the region.

On Sunday, it was announced by the ministry that additional artillery units were dispatched to Kursk in order to support soldiers in repelling Ukrainian forces.

On Sunday, Vadym Filashkin, the governor of Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region reported that a hotel in Kramatorsk was hit by a Russian strike overnight.

According to Filashkin, two journalists were injured during the assault while another remains unaccounted for. The individuals in question hail from Britain, America and Ukraine. Currently, efforts are being made to locate them.

According to a statement from the Reuters news agency, their team of six individuals was at Hotel Sapphire in Kramatorsk when they were struck.

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According to Reuters, one of our colleagues is missing and two have been hospitalized for treatment.

The statement indicated that three additional colleagues have been located. They are currently collaborating with the Kramatorsk officials to gather further details, while also providing assistance and comfort to their co-workers and loved ones in need of aid.

According to the agency, there was no immediate response from the Russian Defence Ministry regarding their request for comment on the strike.

Simultaneously, Russia initiated a series of missile and drone attacks during the night in Ukraine’s northern and eastern territories, encompassing Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv and Donetsk front-line areas.

The military of Kyiv has declared that their air defenses have successfully destroyed “most” of the missiles, without providing a specific quantity.

At least two houses were destroyed and ten more damaged as a result of the Russian attacks, which caused damage to a gas pipeline according to statements made by Ihor Terekhov – Kharkiv city’s mayor.

According to Oleh Sinehubov, the governor of Kharkiv region, the Russian attacks resulted in injuries sustained by seven individuals, including a child who is only four years old.

Source: Al Jazeera and news agencies