On Sunday, tragedy struck as a section of a residential building in Belgorod, Russia, collapsed, resulting in the loss of at least 15 lives and leaving 20 individuals injured. The incident occurred when remnants of a Soviet-era missile, reportedly launched by Ukraine and intercepted by Russia, struck the apartment block. This marks one of the deadliest assaults in the Belgorod region.

Russian authorities described the attack as a "terrorist act on residential areas," stating that it involved a barrage of missiles, including Tochka ballistic missiles and Adler and RM-70 Vampire multiple launch rocket systems. Shocking footage captured the collapse of approximately 10 floors of the building, with subsequent chaos as emergency responders searched for survivors amidst the rubble.

The Russian Defense Ministry reported that the assault occurred at 0840 GMT and involved around 12 missiles. The tragedy claimed the lives of both adults and a child, with several others still missing. Rocket sirens added to the panic as rescue efforts intensified.

Both Russia and Ukraine have denied deliberately targeting civilians, amidst an ongoing conflict that began in 2014 following the Maidan Revolution in Ukraine and the subsequent annexation of Crimea by Russia. The war has resulted in thousands of casualties and widespread displacement.

The recent escalation in the Kharkiv region, where Russian forces breached the border and seized control of several villages, has further intensified the conflict. Russian troops have employed swift and mobile tactics to advance into relatively undefended areas, posing a significant challenge for Ukrainian forces tasked with holding the line.

President Putin has previously suggested the possibility of establishing a buffer zone within Ukrainian territory as tensions continue to escalate. The conflict, which has persisted for nearly a decade, underscores the deep-rooted animosity between the two nations and the devastating toll it has taken on both military personnel and civilians alike.