Ukraine Launches Major Counterattack, 21 Russian Civilians Killed

As the New Year approaches, Russian forces launched large-scale airstrikes across Ukraine, and casualties are increasing as the Ukrainian military counterattacks.

On the 30th (local time), according to major foreign media reports, the Ukrainian military fired missile strikes on Belgorod in western Russia near the border. At least 21 people were killed and 110 injured.

Belgorod, located about 30 km from the Ukrainian border, has continuously suffered casualties since the outbreak of the war. In response to Russia's preemptive strikes, Ukraine launched retaliatory measures. Prior to Ukraine's attack, Russian forces conducted airstrikes on Ukraine on the 29th (local time), resulting in at least 40 deaths and 150 injuries.

Russia has requested an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council, accusing Ukraine of using cluster munitions during the Belgorod strike and condemning it as a "terrorist attack."

Vasily Nebenzya, Russia's ambassador to the UN, stated, "Cluster munitions were used to increase the number of casualties," adding, "It was an indiscriminate attack targeting civilians."

Serhiy Dvornyk, Ukraine's ambassador to the UN, countered, "As long as this war, triggered by the Russian dictator, continues, the suffering will grow," and said, "While Ukraine is recovering from yesterday's horrific attack, Russia's new terrorist attacks continue."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.