Russia: 5 Killed, 46 Injured in Ukraine Strike on Belgorod

In this pool photograph distributed by Russian state owned Sputnik agency President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting on situation in Belgorod, Kursk and Bryansk regions following an invasion of Ukrainian troops in the course of Russia-Ukraine conflict, via video link at the Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow on August 22, 2024. (Photo by Gavriil GRIGOROV / POOL / AFP)
In this pool photograph distributed by Russian state owned Sputnik agency President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting on situation in Belgorod, Kursk and Bryansk regions following an invasion of Ukrainian troops in the course of Russia-Ukraine conflict, via video link at the Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow on August 22, 2024. (Photo by Gavriil GRIGOROV / POOL / AFP)
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Russia: 5 Killed, 46 Injured in Ukraine Strike on Belgorod

In this pool photograph distributed by Russian state owned Sputnik agency President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting on situation in Belgorod, Kursk and Bryansk regions following an invasion of Ukrainian troops in the course of Russia-Ukraine conflict, via video link at the Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow on August 22, 2024. (Photo by Gavriil GRIGOROV / POOL / AFP)
In this pool photograph distributed by Russian state owned Sputnik agency President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting on situation in Belgorod, Kursk and Bryansk regions following an invasion of Ukrainian troops in the course of Russia-Ukraine conflict, via video link at the Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow on August 22, 2024. (Photo by Gavriil GRIGOROV / POOL / AFP)

Five people were killed and 46 injured in a Ukrainian attack on the southwestern Russian city of Belgorod late on Friday, the local governor said.
Vyacheslav Gladkov said that 37 of the injured, including seven children, were taken to hospital, Reuters reported.
Video from a car dashboard, posted on social media and purporting to demonstrate the attack, showed another car being blown up while moving on the road. Seconds later an explosion is seen on the other side of the road. Reuters could not immediately verify the authenticity of the video.
Russia's Investigation Committee said on its Telegram channel that it had initiated a criminal case into the Belgorod attack.
Authorities also reported that a woman was injured on Saturday during Ukrainian shelling of the border town of Shebekino in the Belgorod region.
Ukraine has staged frequent attacks on Belgorod and other Russian border regions in recent months. The city has been the focal point of the attacks.
Ukraine and Russia say they do not deliberately target civilians in the war that began when Russia sent thousands of troops into its smaller neighbor in February 2022. Moscow has called the invasion a "special military operation.”



China, Philippines Accuse Each Other of Ramming Ships in South China Sea

FILE PHOTO: A Philippines flag flutters from BRP Sierra Madre, a dilapidated Philippine Navy ship that has been aground since 1999 and became a Philippine military detachment on the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, part of the Spratly Islands, in the South China Sea March 29, 2014. REUTERS/Erik De Castro/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A Philippines flag flutters from BRP Sierra Madre, a dilapidated Philippine Navy ship that has been aground since 1999 and became a Philippine military detachment on the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, part of the Spratly Islands, in the South China Sea March 29, 2014. REUTERS/Erik De Castro/File Photo
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China, Philippines Accuse Each Other of Ramming Ships in South China Sea

FILE PHOTO: A Philippines flag flutters from BRP Sierra Madre, a dilapidated Philippine Navy ship that has been aground since 1999 and became a Philippine military detachment on the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, part of the Spratly Islands, in the South China Sea March 29, 2014. REUTERS/Erik De Castro/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A Philippines flag flutters from BRP Sierra Madre, a dilapidated Philippine Navy ship that has been aground since 1999 and became a Philippine military detachment on the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, part of the Spratly Islands, in the South China Sea March 29, 2014. REUTERS/Erik De Castro/File Photo

China and the Philippines accused each other of ramming their ships in a disputed area of the South China Sea on Saturday, the latest in an escalating series of clashes in the vital waterway.
China's coast guard said a Philippine ship, "illegally stranded" at the Sabina Shoal, had lifted anchor and "deliberately rammed" a Chinese vessel, while the Philippine coast guard said a Chinese vessel had "intentionally rammed" one of Manila's ships.
Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam. Portions of the waterway, where $3 trillion worth of trade passes annually, are believed to be rich in oil and natural gas deposits, as well as fish stocks.
The Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016 found China's sweeping claims had no legal basis, a ruling Beijing rejects.
According to Reuters, Liu Dejun, a spokesperson for China's coast guard, called on the Philippines in a statement to withdraw immediately from the shoal.
"The Chinese coast guard will take the measures required to resolutely thwart all acts of provocation, nuisance and infringement and resolutely safeguard the country's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests," Liu said.
Philippines Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela told a press conference that the Chinese Coast Guard had ignored collision regulations and carried out dangerous maneuvers, resulting in damage but that no injuries had been reported.
The shoal is within the Philippines' 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone.