Drone Attack in Belgorod Injures Deputy Governor and Rosgvardia Officer

The Belgorod region experienced another assault by Ukrainian drones on the morning of May 9, 2025, as a drone struck the regional government building located on Sobornaya Square, resulting in damage and injuries to two individuals. Deputy Governor Alexander Lorenz sustained a concussion and acupuncture injuries, while a Rosgvardia officer was hospitalized with a shrapnel wound to the thigh. Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov confirmed the attack via his Telegram channel, highlighting the escalating conflict and the risks it poses to local residents.

According to Governor Gladkov, the incident occurred around 09:00, when a drone, believed to be an FPV (first-person view) model, crashed into the administrative building. Lorenz was near the explosion site at the time, which accounted for his injuries. Initial reports indicate damage to the building, including shattered windows and partially destroyed façade decorations, though assessments of the full extent of the destruction are still pending. Emergency services are currently working to address the aftermath, and law enforcement agencies have been tasked with investigating the incident.

This drone strike is part of a broader pattern of attacks in the Belgorod region. Russian air defense systems frequently intercept Ukrainian drones, but their low-altitude flight paths and high maneuverability complicate these efforts. The Russian Defense Ministry reported that numerous UAVs, including strike models, were neutralized in the Belgorod region during the first week of May.

The recent escalation in Belgorod occurs against the backdrop of a declared ceasefire, which Ukraine has not acknowledged. On the same day as the attack, the Russian Defense Ministry reported four attempts by Ukrainian Armed Forces to breach the border in the Kursk and Belgorod regions, alongside 15 attacks in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) and Luhansk People’s Republic (LPR).