Russian Border Attacked, Resulting in 20 Dead and Hundreds Injured

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2024-01-02

Russia has vigorously criticized Ukraine's "indiscriminate" attack on the Russian border city of Belgorod on 30 September, accusing Kiev of using cluster bombs that killed at least 20 people and injured hundreds more, as a crime.

Moscow authorities have vowed to retaliate for the 30th attack, one of the deadliest on Russian territory since Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and have urgently requested a meeting of the UN Security Council. Moscow accused Ukraine of using cluster munitions (sub-munitions), including Ukrainian-made Olkha multiple-launch rockets and Czech-made Vampire rockets, which caused heavy casualties, including three children.

In his New Year's eve speech, Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the performance of the Russian army and called for "unity", but did not explicitly mention the conflict with Ukraine. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Pudin also exchanged New Year's greetings messages on 31st, with Xi claiming that they had "broad consensus" on major international and regional issues, and that mutual political trust and strategic cooperation between the two sides had deepened.

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