KIEV, April 23 (RAPSI) - Ukraine has strengthened security on its border with Russia in connection with the ongoing hunt for the man suspected of shooting six people in Belgorod on Monday, RIA Novosti reported, citing the press office of the state border service.

Security has been strengthened along the entire Russian border and border guards are in close touch with both Ukrainian and Russian law enforcement agencies.

Six people died and one wounded in a shootout in Belgorod, a city in southwest Russia not far from the Ukrainian border. A 14-year-old girl was among the dead, five of whom died at the scene of the attack. A sixth victim died shortly after in hospital.

According to local police, a man driving a dark BMW stopped at a specialist hunting and fishing shop at around 2 p.m. Moscow time on April 22, stepped out and began shooting at people on the street before entering the shop.

The suspect, Sergei Pomazun, 31, has a long criminal record, including a four-year sentence for theft and for attacking a policeman. The reasons for the crime are unclear. According to earlier reports, the shootout took place during an armed assault at the gun store.

According to Russia's Investigative Committee, several criminal cases have been opened in connection with the Belgorod shooting.