Russia Blames Ukraine for Vampire Rocket Attack on Belgorod

The Russian Ministry of Defense on Monday said it had thwarted an attack by Ukraine's military forces on the Belgorod region of Russia.

According to the ministry, Russia's defenses destroyed 10 shells from Czech RM-70 Vampire multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) used by Ukraine. Newsweek could not independently verify the claim, and the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense was contacted via email on Monday for comment.

Ukraine has not claimed responsibility for a strike on the border region of Belgorod. During the early stages of the war on Ukraine launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin nearly two years ago, Belgorod saw little action. That changed in spring 2023, when the area was hit by multiple attacks, which pro-Kyiv armed Russian groups took credit for carrying out.

In recent weeks, Belgorod again became the target of assaults, and the region's governor advised residents to evacuate the sector around 20 miles from the Ukrainian border.

"Around 300 Belgorod residents, who decided to evacuate temporarily, are currently being housed in temporary shelter centers in Stary Oskol, Gubkin and the Korochansky district," Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said in a message posted to Telegram on Monday morning.

His message came hours before a new round of attacks allegedly targeted Belgorod. The Russian Ministry of Defense said in a statement that "an attempt by the Kyiv regime to carry out a terrorist attack using the RM-70 Vampire multiple launch rocket system on targets on the territory of the Russian Federation was stopped. The duty air defense systems destroyed 10 rockets over the Belgorod region."

On December 30, a strike on Belgorod killed 25 people and injured more than 100, according to Russian authorities. While Ukraine did not claim responsibility for the strike, Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova blamed the United Kingdom and the United States for helping Kyiv carry out the attack.

"Great Britain is behind the terror attack, as it, in coordination with the United States, is inciting the Kiev regime to terrorist actions as it understands that Ukraine's counteroffensive has failed," Zakharova said to Russian state news agency TASS. "London, as the Ukrainian presidential office representatives have recently said, has banned the Kiev regime from holding talks with the Russia side, staking on a 'victory on the battlefield.'"

She added: "With not a single chance to improve the Ukrainian army's deplorable situation 'on the ground,' the Anglo-Saxons have taken on the tactic of terror attacks on civilians."

Meanwhile, a representative of the French Foreign Ministry said the Kremlin "bears full responsibility" for casualties suffered in attacks on Belgorod.

"Russia can put an end to this conflict and the human tragedies that accompany it, for which it bears full responsibility," the official said.

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