01/15/2023 22:27 (act. 01/15/2023 22:27)
Three soldiers were killed and 16 others were injured at a barracks in the Belgorod region of western Russia as a result of a powerful explosion. Eight other men are missing since the incident, which took place on Saturday in the border region with Ukraine, according to Russian media. Reportedly, a non-commissioned officer accidentally detonated a hand grenade, after which a fire broke out in the building.
He himself suffered serious injuries and was taken to a hospital, Russian state news agency Interfax reported on Sunday, citing emergency services.
The Baza internet portal, for its part, reported that the man handled the grenade in a cultural center that had been converted into a headquarters near the city of Korocha to gain authority with the military under his command.
The dead and wounded are said to be mobilized recruits. Other portals also wrote that the fire also hit an arms depot and caused the ammunition to explode there. The various statements initially could not be independently verified.
The Belgorod region borders northeastern Ukraine and is home to several Russian military bases and training camps.