A series of powerful explosions rocked the Russian city of Belgorod late on February 5, shortly after authorities declared an air raid warning over a missile threat.
Following the blasts, some neighborhoods reported losing electricity and heat. Monitoring channels said a local thermal power plant may have been hit.
Russian Telegram channels claimed the city was allegedly attacked by US-made HIMARS rockets. Witnesses reported at least five to six loud detonations, describing bright flashes in the sky and a column of smoke rising from one district of Belgorod.
According to the Telegram channel Pepel,residents also experienced television outages, with broadcasting cut off in some areas. Local TV began operating with interruptions after the reported missile attack.
Belgorod region Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov confirmed an attack on the city. “There is serious damage. I’m heading to the scene. We will convene a meeting in 35 minutes,” he said.
The local water utility reported power cuts at several of its facilities, including in the Borisovsky district. Belgorodenergo said there was extensive damage to electrical equipment in the village of Strelkovoye, near the Frunzenskaya substation, and in central Belgorod, which it said was targeted in the strike. The company could not say when electricity would be restored to residents’ homes. Pepel reported that authorities could not provide a timeline for restoring power.
Officials are still assessing the full extent of the damage. There has been no official confirmation that HIMARS were used in the strikes.
On February 4, Russian media reported a blackout in Belgorod after an attack on the city; Focus looked into where else residents have faced power and heat problems.
Also on February 4, Russians reported a Neptune missile strike that caused a blackout in Bryansk.
