A huge explosion lit up the skies above Russia’s Belgorod region on Monday, sending a vast plume of smoke into the air and triggering reports of injuries and widespread damage. Dramatic footage shared online showed a towering cloud rising above the area as debris appeared to fall back to the ground following the blast. The exact cause remains unclear. Local reports initially suggested a Russian aerial bomb may have fallen in the area, while later accounts speculated that a Ukrainian drone strike could have hit an ammunition storage site, setting off a major detonation. Neither explanation had been independently confirmed. Regional officials described the incident as a “detonation”, while emergency services continued to assess the situation. What damage was reported at Belgorod? According to Belgorod operational staff, the blast caused damage in and around the village of Belovskoye. Officials said five women suffered concussion injuries and were taken to Belgorod City Hospital No. 2 for treatment. The force of the explosion reportedly damaged three apartment blocks, more than 20 private homes and an office building. …