Residents of Russia's Belgorod region say blackouts, air-raid sirens and the sound of gunfire aimed at incoming Ukrainian drones are becoming increasingly common, as Kyiv retaliates against repeated bombardments of its cities with cross-border strikes of its own.
It's so loud and so terrifying, says Nina, a Belgorod resident who asked us to change her name.
I was coming back from the clinic when a siren went off. As usual, I received Telegram alerts about a drone attack. Then bursts of automatic gunfire broke out, I ran into a nearby courtyard and tried to hide under an arch, she recalls.
December's reports indicate that the number of Ukrainian drone attacks on the Belgorod region has increased nearly fourfold since the start of the year.
In September, over 4,000 Ukrainian drones were recorded in the Belgorod area, a significant increase from around 1,100 in January 2025. One notable attack involved more than 260 drones, according to local authorities.
Ukraine continues to suffer far greater casualties from Russia's incessant missile and drone strikes, which often wreak havoc on civilians and their infrastructure.
With the implementation of state-of-the-art drones from Ukraine, local residents express concerns over their increased frequency and efficacy, pushing Belgorod into a conflict zone itself.
Local authorities have called for residents to purchase backup generators but admitted constraints in providing these during a fuel crisis exacerbated by recent Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries.
As the situation in Belgorod worsens, local sentiment reflects a growing anxiety about the future, with residents feeling the immediate repercussions of a war that seems ever closer.
