The UN Security Council has held an emergency meeting at the request of Russia, following an attack on the western part of the country bordering Ukraine.

Russia's ministry of emergency situations said on Saturday that a Ukrainian attack on the city of Belgorod killed 18 people, and injured another 111.

At an emergency meeting of the Security Council on the same day, Russian Ambassador to the UN Vassily Nebenzia said that Ukraine conducted "a terrorist attack" on civilian targets.

A Ukrainian representative condemned the Kremlin for Friday's missile and drone attacks by Russia on various parts of Ukraine, but did not mention the strike on western Russia.

Western countries called for the immediate withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukraine, saying that the root cause is Russia's military invasion.

French envoy Nicolas de Riviere said Ukraine is defending itself under the UN Charter, while Moscow is "trampling" it. He added that Russia must stop the invasion.

Council members from Africa and South America called on both Russia and Ukraine to hold talks and negotiations to deescalate the situation and achieve peace, in order to reduce civilian casualties.