On May 16, 2025, Belgorod Region Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov reported that since the start of the full-scale conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, more than 320 civilians have been killed in the region, and over 2,5 have been injured. In a video statement published on his Telegram channel, Gladkov noted:

"We have already lost more than 320 people and more than 2,5 wounded. I have personally met with most of the wounded."

This tragic statistic highlights the grave consequences for the border region, which is regularly subject to attacks.

The Belgorod region, bordering Sumy and Kharkov, has become one of the most vulnerable territories of Russia. Since February 2022, the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) have been striking strategic objects, including military and fuel and energy targets.

Since April 11, 2022, the region has been under a "yellow" level of terrorist threat, introduced due to the threat of attacks. The situation worsened on August 9, 2024, when a counter-terrorism operation (CTO) regime was declared in the region after attempts by Ukrainian sabotage groups to break through.

The shelling of Belgorod on December 30, 2023, was especially tragic, when, according to the Ministry of Emergency Situations, 24 people, including children, were killed and 108 were injured. Gladkov then reported significant destruction: 37 apartment buildings, 453 apartments and 7 social facilities were damaged. This incident remains one of the deadliest during the conflict. In 2023, according to the portal bel.ru, the total number of civilian deaths reached 63, 40 of them in the same year. The current figure of 320 deaths, voiced by Gladkov, indicates a significant increase in victims.