Ukrainian strikes cut power to hundreds of thousands in Russia's Belgorod region, governor says

MOSCOW, March 25 (Reuters) - Almost half a million people were left without electricity in Russia's Belgorod region after Ukrainian strikes hit energy infrastructure, the region's head said on Wednesday.

Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said power outages affected around 450,000 people across several districts, including the regional capital of Belgorod, with many residents also facing disruption to heating and water supply.

Night-time temperatures in Belgorod over the coming days are expected to hover around zero degrees Celsius.

Gladkov said that repair works have already started, but said that it will take several days to complete.

Belgorod, which lies about 40 km (25 miles) from the border with Ukraine, has been a frequent target of Ukrainian drone and missile strikes in the four years since Russia invaded its neighbour.