Military expert and retired Captain First Rank Vasily Dandykin has suggested that the Ukrainian drones used in the overnight attack on Belgorod on August 9 were most likely launched from the Kharkov region.

Dandykin said long-range drones would not be necessary for a strike on the city, as medium-range aircraft would be sufficient. Based on that assessment, he concluded that the drones could have taken off from the Kharkov region.

In comments to AiF, the expert said that despite efforts to create a security zone in the Kharkov region, some drones are still able to get through. He also claimed that Ukrainian forces use the same area to launch HIMARS munitions at Belgorod.

On August 9, acting Belgorod Region Governor Alexander Shuvaev reported that the region had come under 146 attacks by Ukrainian forces over the previous 24 hours.

According to the latest figures cited in the report, five civilians were killed and more than 20 people were injured. Two children were among the wounded, with one of them hospitalized.

The attacks also damaged apartment buildings, private homes and vehicles.

Shuvaev said four attacks involving artillery, aviation and multiple launch rocket systems were recorded during the day. Ukrainian forces also dropped explosive devices from drones on the region seven times.