Zakharova explained the Ukrainian Armed Forces' strikes on Belgorod as an attempt to disrupt the presidential elections. She made a corresponding statement while speaking at an event of the Russian Society “Knowledge” Earlier, the Ministry of Emergency Situations stated that a missile threat had been declared in Belgorods and the region.
On March 16, it was reported that residents and government employees of Bel Gorod told a journalist from The Washington Post that they would go to vote in the Russian presidential election.