KYIV, Ukraine - Russia carried out another drone attack on Ukraine over the weekend, causing further tensions in the ongoing conflict between the two nations. The Ukrainian Air Force reported on Sunday that they had successfully shot down 21 out of 49 drones launched by Russian forces overnight. These strikes came in retaliation for previous attacks on the Russian border city of Belgorod.

In an attack on the eastern city of Kharkiv, twenty-eight people were wounded, according to regional Governor Oleh Syniehubov. Russia's Defense Ministry claimed that they had targeted "decision-making centers and military facilities" in Kharkiv. They specifically mentioned the Kharkiv Palace Hotel, stating that it had been destroyed along with representatives from the Main Intelligence Directorate and the Ukrainian Armed Forces involved in the "terrorist attack" in Belgorod. Among the wounded was a British journalist, confirmed Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko, and a television crew from public German broadcaster ZDF, as reported on Sunday.

In a separate incident, a critical infrastructure facility in the Kyiv region was set on fire after a Russian drone attack, according to local officials. No further details about the facility were disclosed.

The city of Belgorod, located on the Russian border, also experienced shelling on Saturday which resulted in the deaths of 24 people, including three children. Regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov confirmed that an additional 108 people were wounded, marking this as one of the deadliest attacks on Russian soil since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began 22 months ago. Russian authorities accused Kyiv of carrying out the attack, alleging that the ammunition used included Czech-made Vampire rockets and Olkha missiles with cluster-munition warheads.

An emergency meeting was convened at the United Nations Security Council at the behest of Russia on Saturday night. In the meeting, Russian envoy Vasily Nebenzya accused Ukraine of a "terrorist attack" and claimed that it was a deliberate act of terrorism targeting civilians.

The Ukrainian people are now bracing for further attacks, as tensions between the two nations continue to rise. Last year's New Year's Eve assault by Russia claimed the lives of at least three civilians, serving as a stark reminder of the perilous situation faced by those living in the region.