At least three people were killed and dozens of residential buildings damaged in the Russian city of Belgorod near the Ukraine border, the regional governor said, after reports of several blasts in the city.

Axar.az reports that at least 11 apartment buildings and 39 private houses were damaged, including five that were destroyed, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov posted on the Telegram messaging app.

Gladkov said earlier the "incident" was being investigated, adding, "Presumably, the air defence system worked."

At least four people were injured and two hospitalised, including a 10-year-old boy, Gladkov said.