Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, approximately 120 civilians have been killed in the Belgorod region of southwestern Russia, near the border with Ukraine. The Governor of the region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, has stated that the area has been repeatedly targeted by what Russian officials claim are indiscriminate attacks from Ukraine. Among the victims are 11 children, with another 651 individuals wounded, including 51 children who have had limbs amputated as a result of the violence.
Governor Gladkov expressed that the situation in the Belgorod region is highly complex, with ongoing cross-border shelling resulting in casualties. In a video address posted on his Telegram channel, he emphasized the continued loss of life and the devastating impact on the local population. Independent news outlet 7×7 has verified the Governor’s figure of 11 children killed, but has reported a higher total number of casualties from the conflict, with at least 134 residents of the Belgorod region documented as having been killed over the course of the more than two-year-long war.
In addition to the tragic toll in the Belgorod region, 7×7 has reported that a total of 186 civilians have been killed in Russian regions bordering Ukraine since the start of the invasion. The conflict has had far-reaching consequences for the civilian population, with numerous innocent individuals losing their lives or sustaining serious injuries as a result of the ongoing violence. The toll on children is particularly heartbreaking, with many young lives being cut short or forever altered by the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
The violence and loss of life in the Belgorod region and other areas near the Ukrainian border serve as a stark reminder of the human cost of armed conflict. Civilians, including children, are paying a heavy price for the war between Russia and Ukraine, with many families experiencing unimaginable grief and suffering as a result of the ongoing hostilities. The international community has a responsibility to work towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict and to protect the lives and well-being of innocent civilians caught in the crossfire.
As Governor Gladkov and others continue to raise awareness of the dire situation in the Belgorod region and neighboring areas, it is essential for the international community to respond with urgency and compassion. Efforts must be made to provide essential humanitarian assistance to those affected by the conflict, including medical care for the wounded and support for families who have lost loved ones. The voices of the victims must be heard, and their suffering acknowledged as the world strives for a peaceful and just resolution to the crisis in Ukraine and its impact on the surrounding regions.
In the face of ongoing violence and loss of life, it is crucial for all parties involved in the conflict to prioritize the protection of civilians and adhere to international humanitarian law. The targeting of innocent men, women, and children is unacceptable and must be condemned in the strongest terms. As the toll of casualties continues to rise, there is an urgent need for a cessation of hostilities and a renewed commitment to dialogue and diplomacy in order to bring an end to the suffering and devastation caused by the war in Ukraine and its spillover effects on neighboring regions like Belgorod.
