Ukrainian Boarding School Hit by Russian Strike: Four Confirmed Dead

President Zelensky condemns the strike as indicative of Russia's brutal war tactics, while Moscow insists Ukraine was responsible for the incident.

President Volodymyr Zelensky has condemned a recent strike by Russian forces on a boarding school located in the town of Sudzha, which is currently under Ukrainian control. According to Ukrainian officials, the attack resulted in four fatalities and numerous injuries, many of whom were elderly individuals. With civilians sheltering at the school before a planned evacuation, the incident has raised serious concerns regarding the safety of non-combatants in the ongoing conflict.

Reports suggest that over 80 people were rescued from the damaged building post-strike. However, the claim that it was a purposeful Russian attack deploying precision aerial bombs remains unverified by independent sources. The Russian military has countered by blaming Ukraine for the bombing, labeling it as a "targeted missile strike."

Zelensky took to X to express outrage over the incident, asserting that this event exemplifies Russia's disregard for human life in warfare. "They destroyed the building even though dozens of civilians were there," he stated, highlighting the tragedy of the situation.

The Ukrainian army's general staff echoed these sentiments in a post on Telegram, emphasizing that the strike was intentional and aimed at civilian targets. The controversy surrounding the attack is compounded by the historical context, with Zelensky drawing parallels between Russia's current military actions and its past operations in Chechnya and Syria.

The conflict in the Kursk region has escalated since Ukraine's lightning assault last August, which surprised Russian border guards and resulted in the temporary seizure of territory. However, Ukrainian officials have clarified their intent to use the captured area as leverage in prospective peace talks rather than to retain it permanently. As tensions mount, the situation remains precarious, casting a shadow over civilian safety in the conflict-affected regions.