A deadly Russian airstrike on a boarding school in the Russian-occupied town of Sudzha in the Kursk region has resulted in the deaths of at least four people, with dozens more injured, according to Ukrainian officials. The attack, which occurred on Saturday, targeted a building where civilians, including elderly individuals, had been sheltering and preparing to evacuate. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the strike, describing it as a deliberate and barbaric act of aggression.
The Ukrainian army reported that more than 80 people were rescued from the rubble of the school, but the toll of casualties could rise as rescue efforts continue. Ukrainian officials assert that the strike was carried out using a guided aerial bomb, and they blame Russia for what they believe was an intentional assault on civilians. The Ukrainian general staff posted on Telegram, confirming the deaths and the rescue of 84 civilians from the building. They emphasized that the attack appeared to be premeditated, underscoring the dangers faced by those living in occupied territories.
In contrast, the Russian Ministry of Defence has denied responsibility for the bombing and instead accused Ukraine of carrying out a targeted missile strike on the region. Moscow’s narrative of the event further fuels the ongoing war of information between the two nations, as both sides provide conflicting reports on the nature and responsibility for the attack.
Zelensky took to social media to express his outrage, calling the incident a demonstration of Russia’s complete disregard for human life. “This is how Russia wages war – Sudzha, Kursk region, Russian territory, a boarding school with civilians preparing to evacuate,” Zelensky posted on X, likening the attack to Russia’s tactics during the Chechen wars and even its intervention in Syria. The Ukrainian president noted that Russian bombs have been destroying homes in Ukraine in much the same manner, targeting civilian spaces with little regard for safety.
While the BBC has yet to independently verify Ukraine’s claim that the strike was a deliberate attack by Russia, the incident highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis in territories affected by the war. It serves as a stark reminder of the civilian toll that continues to mount as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine escalates, with neither side showing signs of backing down.
