A Russian Shahed kamikaze drone was likely responsible for the 5 November attack on Russia’s Belgorod residential building, according to an investigation by local media outlet Pepel.
Belgorod Oblast, bordering Ukraine’s Kharkiv Oblast, has been a key logistical hub for Russian military operations since the 2022 invasion, hosting infrastructure for regular drone, missile, and artillery strikes on Ukraine.
CCTV footage from an adjacent building in Belgorod captured the drone’s impact.
New report suggests a Russian Shahed drone accidentally hit the apartment building in the Russian city of Belgorod on 5 Nov., according to local outlet Pepel.
The report challenges official claims of a Ukrainian attack. CCTV footage identified the Shahed's distinct shape, and… pic.twitter.com/AddIY4W2C5
— Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) November 12, 2024
“The aircraft displayed a characteristic nose section and triangular wings with blunt tips, clearly visible in the video,” Pepel reported.
This contradicts Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov’s claim of a Ukrainian drone strike, which injured two people and damaged 40 apartments. While Russian media blamed a Ukrainian Columba tactical drone, Pepel found “no similarities” between the attacking aircraft and this model.
The investigation revealed earlier published footage was deliberately truncated. The complete video shows a black trail from an anti-aircraft missile explosion, suggesting Russian forces may have attempted to intercept their own malfunctioning drone.
“Belgorod residents reported hearing just two explosions – one from the air defense missile and another from the building impact,” Pepel wrote.
On the same day, local media reported Shahed drones flying over Belgorod Oblast toward Ukraine, while Ukrainian authorities in Kharkiv confirmed Russian Shahed attacks.
In May 2024, the explosion at another Belgorod apartment building killed 15 people. While Russia blamed Ukraine, experts attributed it to either a Russian anti-aircraft missile or an errant FAB-500 guided bomb.
Read more:
- Ukrainian drones allegedly hit Russian distilleries in Voronezh and Belgorod oblasts
- Allegedly cross-border strikes hit Russia’s Belgorod, damaging civilian infrastructure
- Sumy sees fewer Russian attacks from contested Kursk, more from Belgorod, data show
