Ukrainian Attacks Cause Blackouts and Damage in Belgorod Region

On February 3, 2026, blackouts were reported in Russia's Belgorod Oblast following alleged Ukrainian missile and drone strikes that damaged critical infrastructure. The city of Belgorod experienced power outages after two electrical substations, "Frunzenskaya" and "Belgorod," were reportedly hit. Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov stated that the attacks resulted in damage to energy infrastructure and left one civilian injured. The Ukrainian military has not commented on these allegations.

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Governor Gladkov reported that over the course of 24 hours, the Belgorod region was struck by 12 missiles and three drones, with additional attacks affecting the wider area. Emergency crews were deployed to restore utilities amid subzero temperatures, as thousands were left without power, heating, and water. Gladkov emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that recovery efforts were ongoing but warned of potential emergency outages during restoration work.

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In a separate incident, explosions attributed to a Ukrainian drone attack occurred in Stary Oskol, a city within the Belgorod region. Witnesses reported hearing loud blasts and seeing bright flashes in the sky. The drone strikes reportedly caused a fire at a residential house and shattered windows in multiple apartment buildings, resulting in two fatalities according to preliminary reports from regional authorities.

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Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov has been vocal about the impact of these attacks, stating, “Our power crews are trying to address the situation as quickly as possible amid this extremely difficult period of subzero temperatures with severe frosts.” He also noted that recovery was proceeding “in a routine manner” despite the challenging conditions.

Ukrainian Airstrikes Knock Out Power in Belgorod Region for Second Time in a Month

While the Russian government has attributed the attacks to Ukraine, there has been no official response from the Ukrainian military regarding these specific incidents. Critics of the Russian narrative argue that the ongoing conflict has led to a cycle of retaliatory strikes, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in both regions.

Blackouts reported in Russia's Belgorod Oblast amid missile, drone attack

There are discrepancies in casualty reports and the extent of damage caused by the attacks. While some sources indicate that one civilian was injured in the Belgorod attack, others suggest that two individuals were killed in the Stary Oskol incident. Additionally, the Ukrainian military has not provided any comments to clarify their involvement or the nature of the attacks.

Drone Attack Sparks Explosions, Fire in Russia's Belgorod

As the situation develops, ongoing assessments of the damage and recovery efforts are expected. Emergency services continue to work in the affected areas, and further military actions may lead to additional escalations in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

Drone Attack Sparks Explosions, Fire in Russia's Belgorod