Story perspectives

Belgorod Evacuates as Kyiv Faces Massive Blackouts

1/22/2026

Summary

Gladkov Ensures Safety

On January 21, 2026, authorities in Belgorod evacuated residents from high-rise apartments after ammunition landed in a city street and created a large crater, with Vyacheslav Gladkov, the Belgorod regional governor, saying explosives experts were on-site to ensure safety.
In Kyiv, residents face outages from Russian attacks, with about 4,000 buildings lacking heat.
Rolling blackouts have left nearly 60% of buildings without electricity and have affected cellular services across Ukraine.

History

Historical Context

The Russian invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, 2022, following years of escalating tensions since Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014. The invasion, marked by widespread destruction and humanitarian crises, displaced over 7 million Ukrainians by early 2023. This conflict has become the largest in Europe since World War II, highlighting urgent calls for international intervention and support.

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Gladkov Ensures Safety

On January 21, 2026, authorities in Belgorod evacuated residents from high-rise apartments after ammunition landed in a city street and created a large crater, with Vyacheslav Gladkov, the Belgorod regional governor, saying explosives experts were on-site to ensure safety.
In Kyiv, residents face outages from Russian attacks, with about 4,000 buildings lacking heat.
Rolling blackouts have left nearly 60% of buildings without electricity and have affected cellular services across Ukraine.

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