MOSCOW, Dec  30, 2023 (BSS/AFP) - Russia accused Ukraine of targeting the
city of Belgorod with missiles and rockets on Saturday, killing at least 14
people and wounding dozens more in an attack Moscow warned would "not go
unpunished".

       Belgorod lies about 30 kilometres (19 miles) from the border with Ukraine
and has been repeatedly struck by what Moscow says is indiscriminate shelling
by Kyiv's forces.

       Unverified footage showed debris strewn across the street and smoke
billowing from burnt-out cars in the city's centre, while a large blast can be
heard in dashcam footage posted on social media.

       AFP was not able to immediately verify the circumstances of the strike, one
of the deadliest on Russian soil since Moscow launched hostilities against
Ukraine in February 2022.

       Two Vilkha missiles and Czech-made rockets were used in the attack, Russia
said. It has requested a UN Security Council meeting for 2000 GMT.

       "According to updated information, 12 adults and two children were killed
in Belgorod. Another 108 people, including 15 children, were injured," Russia's
emergencies ministry said.

       The Kremlin said President Vladimir Putin had been briefed on the incident,
while the Russian defence ministry warned the strike would "not go unpunished".

       Russia's foreign ministry, which has repeatedly railed against Western arms
deliveries to Ukraine, accused the United States and Britain of "inciting the
Kyiv regime to commit terrorist actions".

       Ukrainian officials did not immediately comment.
       
       - 'Work underway' -
    
       
       The attack came as rescuers in Ukraine continued to search through rubble
Saturday after Russian strikes killed at least 39 people the day before, in one
of the fiercest attacks since the early days of the conflict.

       Schools, a maternity hospital, shopping arcades and blocks of flats were
all among the buildings hit in Friday's barrage, which triggered international
condemnation.

       Ukraine's military estimated Russia had launched 158 missiles and drones on
Ukraine and 114 of them had been destroyed.

       Air force spokesman Yuriy Ignat told AFP that this was a "record number" of
missiles and "the most massive missile attack" of the conflict, excluding the
early days of constant bombardment.

       "Work is still underway to eliminate the consequences of yesterday's
Russian attack," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

       January 1 will be declared a day of mourning in the capital Kyiv, where at
least 16 people were killed, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said.

       Three more people were killed by Russian strikes across Ukraine on
Saturday, local officials said.

       Russia's army said it had "carried out 50 group strikes and one massive
strike" on military facilities in Ukraine over the past week, adding that "all
targets were hit".

       The United Nations condemned the attacks and said they must stop
"immediately".

       
       - Missile 'entered' Polish airspace -
       
       Poland reported that a Russian missile briefly passed through its airspace
during Friday's attacks.

       "Everything indicates that a Russian missile entered Polish airspace... It
also left," said General Wieslaw Kukula, chief of the general staff of the
Polish armed forces.

       After speaking to Polish President Andrzej Duda, NATO chief Jens
Stoltenberg said the alliance "stands in solidarity" with Poland, adding: "NATO
remains vigilant."

       In the face of sustained Russian assaults, Ukraine is urging Western allies
to maintain military support.

       Ukraine presidential aide Andriy Yermak said Kyiv needed "more support and
strength to stop this terror".

       US President Joe Biden called on Congress to overcome its division to
approve new aid for Ukraine, after Washington released its final package of
weaponry under existing agreements still to be renewed.

       "Unless Congress takes urgent action in the new year, we will not be able
to continue sending the weapons and vital air defence systems Ukraine needs to
protect its people," Biden said.

       "Congress must step up and act without any further delay."

       Britain announced it would send hundreds more air defence missiles to Kyiv,
after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak declared that "We must continue to stand with
Ukraine -- for as long as it takes."