Authorities in the southwestern Belgorod region said Wednesday that shopping malls would be temporarily closed and school instruction would be moved online amid Ukrainian drone attacks.
“Due to the operational situation, we’re temporarily suspending the operation of large shopping centers,” Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov wrote in a message on Telegram.
Earlier, Gladkov said a Ukrainian attack damaged the regional government building and a home, though no injuries were reported.
Russia’s Defense Ministry, meanwhile, said Ukraine launched 122 drones at the border region overnight, 11 of which were downed by air defense systems.
Later on Wednesday, Gladkov announced that schools would switch to remote learning for Thursday and Friday, while universities would decide individually whether to hold classes in person or online.
That message came shortly before the governor reported that three people were injured in drone attacks on the region.
Belgorod has faced regular cross-border shelling since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, as well as periodic incursions by Ukrainian forces.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.

Remind me later.