Key Takeaways:

• Ukraine and Russia are trading accusations over a deadly missile strike on a boarding school in Kursk.
• Four people were confirmed dead, with multiple injuries reported among civilians preparing for evacuation.
• President Zelensky condemned Russia for its actions, describing the situation as part of a brutal war strategy.

KYIV, Ukraine (Feb 1, 2025) — A deadly missile strike on a boarding school in Sudzha, a town in Russia’s Kursk region, has led to escalated tensions between Ukraine and Russia as both sides exchange accusations over responsibility for the attack. According to Ukrainian military sources, the strike resulted in the deaths of four individuals and injured numerous others, primarily elderly civilians who were seeking shelter in the building. Rescue operations alleviated a number of victims, with reports indicating that 84 people were rescued from the rubble, as stated by Ukraine's general staff.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed outrage, detailing how the school was bombed "even though dozens of civilians were there." He criticized Moscow’s actions, suggesting this incident reflects a broader pattern of Russian warfare historically reminiscent of their campaigns in Chechnya and Syria. “This is how Russia waged war against Chechnya decades ago. They killed Syrians the same way,” he articulated on social media.

In contrast, the Russian Ministry of Defense has alleged that the missile attack was perpetrated by Ukrainian forces, claiming it was launched from the Sumy region of Ukraine. This claim, however, remains unverified independently by external sources. Reports from the Reuters suggest that the school was already under Ukrainian control for five months prior to the strike.

Moreover, the grievous situation in Kursk coincides with another troubling report where a Russian missile attack on an apartment block in the Ukrainian city of Poltava claimed the lives of at least 14 individuals, including two children. The Guardian and other news outlets highlighted that 17 people were injured in the assault on the residential structure, reflecting the ongoing peril faced by civilians amid the conflict.

The turmoil did not end there, as a series of drone attacks were launched by Russia against Ukrainian cities, further escalating the violence. Ukrainian officials reported that approximately 55 drones were sent into Ukraine, with around 40 reportedly neutralized during the operation. Meanwhile, Russian authorities noted that five Ukrainian drones were shot down across several of its regions, including Kursk.

This latest chapter in the ongoing conflict highlights the harrowing nature of warfare experienced by both nations, with increasing civilian casualties becoming a grim reality. The situation continues to develop as the international community watches closely.

For further information on the incident, refer to AP News and India Times.