Russia is pointing fingers at Ukraine after a devastating explosion led to the collapse of an entire section of an apartment building in Belgorod.

CCTV footage captured the moment of the explosion, showing a powerful blast near the base of the 10-storey block, followed by the structure crumbling down.

According to the regional governor, two fatalities have been confirmed, with at least 19 individuals sustaining injuries from the incident.

Belgorod, located near the border with Ukraine’s Kharkiv, has witnessed increased tensions amid Russia’s recent offensive in the neighboring region. Ukrainian forces have been accused of targeting the Belgorod region in the past, with the governor attributing the explosion to a Ukrainian shell.

“He could not escape,” Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov stated, pointing to the impact of the alleged Ukrainian bombardment on the region.

Kyiv has challenged the explanation put forth by Russian officials regarding the explosion in Belgorod. One official raised the possibility that the blast might have been caused by a guided bomb dropped by a Russian aircraft, intended for Ukraine, but potentially malfunctioning as its glide wings failed to deploy.

Images captured at the site depict rescue teams painstakingly sifting through debris by hand in a desperate bid to locate any survivors. Concerns over the stability of the structure have prompted the evacuation of nearby residences amid fears of further collapse.

Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov indicated that individuals are suspected to be trapped under the rubble, underscoring the urgent and ongoing search and rescue efforts at the scene.

According to an account provided to Russian state news agency RIA Novosti, a resident recounted the harrowing experience of her husband being inside their apartment at the time of the explosion. Suffering injuries to his head and face, he was caught off guard by the blast and had no opportunity to flee the building, she lamented.

Meanwhile, a representative for the Russian Investigative Committee confirmed the initiation of a criminal case in response to the incident, underscoring the seriousness with which authorities are approaching the situation.

Amid ongoing conflict in northeastern Ukraine, where Russian forces have advanced into the Kharkiv region, a disturbing incident unfolded just across the border in Belgorod, Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in an evening address on Sunday, highlighted the displacement of thousands due to the intensifying Russian offensive. He emphasized the strategic objective behind the attacks in the Kharkiv region, aimed at stretching Ukrainian forces thin and undermining their morale.

While Moscow’s defense ministry asserts the capture of several villages in the area, Kyiv reports engaging in counter-offensives against the Russian incursion. The situation underscores the escalating tensions and human toll resulting from the ongoing conflict.