7 killed as shelling collapses building in Russia's Belgorod

At least seven people were killed and a dozen others injured on Sunday in the collapse of an apartment building in the Russian city of Belgorod following a massive shelling allegedly by the Ukrainian forces, according to the Mash Telegram channel, reported Xinhua.

Emergency services personnel were dispatched to the site of the collapse, a representative of the emergency services was quoted by Sputnik news agency as saying.

The shelling occurred on a 10-story residential building on Sunday in the city of Belgorod in western Russia, reported Xinhua, quoting local media reports based on an emergency official.

A search and rescue operation is underway, and people are being evacuated from the building.

The emergency services warned that the casualties could rise as some people are still under the debris.

The Russian Defense Ministry said the air defense system had downed six Tochka-U missiles, four Vampire rockets, and two Olkha rockets earlier in the day.

More than 300 apartments and multiple social facilities were damaged, he said.