"Escalating Conflict: Ukraine Targets Russia's Border Regions Again"

The Belgorod region in Russia has been targeted by increasing Ukrainian attacks, with the city of Belgorod suffering a deadly rocket barrage on Dec. 30. The region's proximity to the Ukrainian border makes it vulnerable to artillery strikes and incursions, leading to casualties and disruptions to daily life. Russian President Vladimir Putin has vowed to punish the attacks and criticized pro-Kyiv Russians involved in the incursions, while Belgorod officials have taken measures to protect residents, including evacuating children and closing schools. Ukrainian officials assert their right to counter Moscow's aggression, linking the attacks to Russia's ongoing aggression against Ukraine.