Russia Vows Retaliation After Ukrainian Drone Strikes Kill Family Near Belgorod

Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian territory killed a family of three near Belgorod and damaged a hotel in the Rostov region, prompting Russian officials to detail planned retaliatory strikes. Major General Vladimir Popov outlined likely Ukrainian launch routes and Moscow's response strategy. Popov said drones targeting Rostov may have been launched from Black Sea vessels, from ports in Nikolaev or Odesa, or by "sleeper cells" in the DPR, while the Belgorod attack likely originated from nearby Sumy, Kharkiv, or Poltava regions. He stated Russia's response involves systematic strikes on Ukrainian military targets, energy infrastructure, logistics, and defense plants. The general said strikes on Ukrainian power substations, such as one in Priluki, Chernihiv region, disrupt military production and drone assembly. He emphasized Russia's approach is planned and targeted, using intelligence to hit identified military objectives and infrastructure, which he claims weakens Ukrainian forces at the front.