Former Belgorod mayor Konstantin Polezhayev was reportedly killed by a Ukrainian drone strike in Belgorod Oblast. Russian media reported that Polezhayev headed the city from 2015-2019 and later served as deputy governor of Belgorod Oblast.

In 2023, Polezhayev was dismissed, and in 2024, he was sentenced to five years in prison for bribery. After the verdict, Polezhayev signed a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense and went to war against Ukraine, serving in the "BARS-Belgorod" unit in a rear position. The court suspended the proceedings in his case due to his military service. However, Russian media also suggested Polezhayev might not have been actively serving and remained home with his family.