A drone struck the government building of Russia’s Belgorod Oblast on the morning of Friday, May 9, injuring the deputy governor, according to regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov.
Gladkov shared the first video of the aftermath on Telegram at 8:43 a.m.
“In Belgorod, a Ukrainian Armed Forces drone attacked the government building of the Belgorod region. There are no casualties. All emergency services are working at the site,” he initially reported.
Later, he clarified that the attack was carried out by an aircraft-type drone and confirmed two injuries.
A Russian Guard officer suffered a shrapnel wound to the thigh and is hospitalized. Deputy Governor Alexandr Lorenz was also near the building when the explosion occurred.
“After laying flowers at the Eternal Flame, Alexandr Alexandrovich was examined by doctors at the regional clinical hospital. He has a concussion and acoustic trauma. He will continue treatment as an outpatient,” Gladkov said.
Ukraine has not commented on the incident.
At Moscow’s Victory Day parade Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin marked the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany, invoking unity, sacrifice, and pride – while defending Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
More than 20 world leaders attended, including China’s Xi Jinping, Serbia’s Aleksandar Vucic, and Slovakia’s Robert Fico. Over 11,500 troops marched, including 1,500 who had fought in Ukraine, alongside soldiers from 13 “friendly” nations.
Calling the invasion a “special military operation,” Putin claimed: “The whole country, society, and people support [it]. We are proud of their courage and determination.”
It is illegal in Russia to speak out against Putin’s invasion of Ukraine or even to refer to it as a “war.”