Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said on Telegram that the building's entrance collapsed and part of the roof fell in during rescue efforts. Emergency services have rescued 16 people from the rubble.

The Russian Defense Ministry claims the strike involved 12 Ukrainian missiles, one of which was shot down by air defenses with fragments hitting the apartment building.

This incident comes as Russia continues to use the Belgorod region as a launching ground for attacks on Ukraine. Russia has also been widely condemned for its strikes on civilian targets in Ukraine, which have resulted in numerous casualties. (ILKHA)