At least 18 people, including two children, were killed in Ukrainian shelling on the Russian city of Belgorod, according to Russia's Ministry of Emergency Situations. The attack, described as "massive," targeted downtown Belgorod, resulting in the destruction of around 40 civilian facilities and the outbreak of 10 fires. This incident marks one of the deadliest reported in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

In response to the attack, the Russian Defense Ministry expressed strong condemnation and vowed that the perpetrators would not go unpunished. They accused the Kiev regime of using such attacks as a diversion tactic, attempting to shift attention away from recent defeats on the frontlines. Russia has called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council to address the escalating tensions.

This shelling incident occurred shortly after Russia launched its largest air attack on Ukraine since the start of its full-scale invasion, resulting in the deaths of at least 40 people and injuring over 150 others. Attacks from Ukraine on Russian regions near the border have been ongoing for more than a year, often causing civilian casualties. However, the recent attack on Belgorod stands as one of the deadliest reported incidents to date, although CNN cannot independently verify the death toll.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has been briefed about the situation in Belgorod and has ordered the deployment of health ministry teams and emergency rescuers to assist those affected. The city sustained significant damage, and efforts have been made to extinguish the fires and restore normalcy.

In addition to the attack on Belgorod, the Russian region of Bryansk also experienced shelling, resulting in the death of one civilian and injuries to four others, including a child. Another child died as a result of Ukrainian shelling in Russia's Bryansk region. The Russian defense ministry reported destroying 32 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) flying over various Russian regions.

On the other side, Ukraine has yet to comment publicly on the incidents and rarely claims responsibility for attacks on Russia. Meanwhile, the death toll from Russian strikes on Ukraine continues to rise. In the city of Odesa, a 77-year-old man succumbed to his injuries, bringing the total number of casualties to 40. The capital city of Kyiv also suffered heavy civilian losses, with at least 16 more bodies recovered from the rubble of a warehouse. Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko declared January 1 as a Day of Mourning in Kyiv.

During the recent wave of strikes, Poland reported an alleged breach of its airspace by an unidentified airborne object. Russia has refrained from offering any explanations until concrete evidence is presented.

As the conflict intensifies between Russia and Ukraine, international concerns mount over the increasing civilian casualties and the potential for further escalation. The United Nations Security Council meeting, requested by Russia, will provide an opportunity for diplomatic discussions on ending the violence and restoring peace in the region.