REPORTING. "Not even the fascists did that" : In the Russian city of Belgorod, residents revolt against the almost daily Ukrainian strikes

The Russian city of Belgorod on the border with Ukraine is regularly the target of deadly air strikes from Kiev. The residents now live in fear.

Published on January 12, 2024 07:35

Reading time: 2 minutes

Residents remember the victims of a deadly Kiev airstrike on December 31, 2023 in Belgorod, a city on the border with Ukraine. (EMIL LEEGUNOV / ANADOLU)

In Russia, the city of Belgorod is now being attacked almost daily by the Ukrainian army. Since the start of the war, almost a hundred Russian civilians have died in bomb attacks in this Russian border region. But the attacks are increasing, and the deadliest of them occurred on December 30: 25 dead and more than a hundred injured after a rocket fire on a central square in this city of 350,000. Residents who now live in fear, some of whom feel abandoned by Moscow.

For many Belgorod residents, the day now begins with the voice of Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov, who every morning on social networks lists the night's attacks on the region. The Christmas market in the city center, where hundreds of people gathered on December 30th, was dismantled. Igor and his wife come to lay flowers at the makeshift memorial across the street. “We didn’t think something like this could happen in a peaceful city. There are no soldiers. To bomb civilians, we can't imagine that's possible. Not even the fascists did that.”

A feeling of abandonment

The border is only about thirty kilometers away, but for many the war only became real less than two weeks ago. Karina, a professor, is outraged by this Ukrainian bombing, which she believes is unfair. “I believe our attacks are not aimed at civilians. It's scary, it's not right. Bombing a weapons factory is one thing, but targeting a central location when you know the kids are on vacation and running there is despicable.”

The residents of Belgorod are afraid and say it openly, which is rare in Russia. Some even fled the city at the end of December, like Oleg, a restaurant owner. “I promised my wife that we would leave as soon as the first rockets arrived,” he says. “Not only did they arrive, but we saw them overhead and miraculously survived.”

“Of course we packed our bags. I have a pregnant wife, I can’t put her in danger.”

Oleg, restaurant owner

at franceinfo

Oleg covered the windows of his restaurant with heavy wooden panels, and other residents placed pillows in front of the windows.

Many feel abandoned by the Moscow authorities, including student Anastasia. “During Vladimir Putin's New Year's address, many were offended that he had no word for Belgorod, even though the events had taken place shortly before. How could we not talk about it? This is absolutely incomprehensible.” Every time the Russian army attacks Ukraine, the residents of Belgorod hide in their homes for fear of the reaction.