MOSCOW, December 30. /TASS/. Ukraine’s attack on Belgorod was meant to divert attention from its failures on the frontline and provoke Russia to respond, the Russian defense ministry said.

"The Kiev regime, which committed this crime, is seeking to divert attention from its failures on the frontline and to provoke us to do similar things. We stress that the Russian armed forces are targeting only military facilities and related infrastructure," it said.