Explosions heard in Belgorod: Local authorities say it was air defence

Anastasia Kalatur – Thursday, 28 April 2022, 06:20

3 blasts were heard as the air defence system was activated over Belgorod Region of the Russian Federation.

Source: Russian media TASS, citing press service of regional government; RIA Novosti [RIA News]; RBK

Details: According to RIA Novosti, the first 2 explosions were heard around midnight. 2 hours later, another blast was heard to the south of Belgorod.

TASS reported that this was the sound of the air defence system working.

Background:

• On the night of 26-27 April explosions were heard over the city of Kursk; the local government claimed that Russian air defence systems had downed Ukrainian military drones.
• On the morning of 27 April Vyacheslav Gladkov, Governor of Belgorod Region, reported that an ammunition depot was ablaze in the village of Staraya Nelidovka.
• 2 explosions were also heard in Voronezh on 27 April.
• Mykhailo Podoliak, Advisor to the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, said that explosions in Belgorod, Voronezh, and Kursk Regions of the Russian Federation were "an entirely natural process" and a "divine intervention into the affairs of the sinners."