Russian deputy district head killed while inspecting unexploded bomb, local official says.

Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight.

A Russian deputy district head has been killed and three other officials wounded after a bomb they were inspecting in Russia's Belgorod Oblast exploded, regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov claimed on June 2. According to Gladkov, the deputy head of the Korochan district's administration, Igor Viktorovych Nechiporenko, died "as a result of the detonation of the ammunition." Nechiporenko's boss, Nikolay Vasilyevich Nesterov was wounded, along with two rural settlement heads.

Gladkov did not specify what type of explosive device they were inspecting at the time but Russia's Defense Ministry claimed two Ukrainian drones were shot down overnight in the Belgorod and Kursk Oblasts, and another four were shot down over Belgorod Oblast during the morning of June 2. Ukraine does not usually comment on reported attacks against Belgorod. The Kyiv Independent could not verify the claims made by Russian officials.

Belgorod Oblast borders Ukraine's Sumy, Kharkiv, and Luhansk oblasts. Claims of rocket or drone attacks against the region have become a common occurrence in recent months. Russia reportedly often uses Belgorod Oblast as a launching ground for cross-border missile strikes against Ukraine.

'We took out so many of them:' Ukraine stabilizes Kharkiv front after brutal Russian offensive

Editor's note: In accordance with the security protocols of the Ukrainian military, soldiers featured in this story are identified by first names and callsigns only.

KHARKIV OBLAST - In battles fought under a sky swarming with enemy drones, even the most minimal movement, even the quickest dash fro...