Kyiv and Moscow engaged in a heated exchange of accusations on Sunday regarding a recent strike on a school in the town of Sudzha, situated in a Ukrainian-occupied area of Russia’s Kursk region. This incident comes amidst a backdrop of escalating violence in Ukraine, where recent missile and drone attacks have reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 18 individuals.
The conflict, which has persisted for nearly three years, shows no signs of abating, despite US President Donald Trump’s assertions that he would swiftly broker a ceasefire once he assumed office. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that a guided aerial bomb dropped by Russian forces on Saturday killed four people and left another four seriously injured at the former school, which had been serving as a shelter for civilians. Emergency services managed to rescue approximately 80 individuals from the debris of the building.
In a statement, Ukrainian officials condemned the attack, characterizing it as a hallmark of Russian aggression against civilians. They emphasized the targeted nature of the bombing, stating, “Hitting civilians with bombs is a signature style of Russian criminals! Even when the civilians are local residents, Russians.”
In contrast, Russian authorities have placed the blame squarely with Ukraine. The Russian defense ministry claimed that Ukrainian forces committed a “war crime” by launching a missile strike on the boarding school in Sudzha, denouncing the act as having “no forgiveness and no statute of limitations.” Furthermore, Russian investigators have initiated a criminal case against a Ukrainian commander alleged to be responsible for the assault.
The town of Sudzha, once home to around 6,000 residents, fell to Ukrainian control during a surprise operation last August that saw several villages and small towns in the Kursk region captured. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky took to social media to decry Russia, highlighting the destruction inflicted on civilian structures. He shared footage of the devastated school and lamented the loss of life, stating that Russian bombs wreak havoc on Ukrainian homes and cause suffering even among their own civilians.
In the wake of these recent events, additional strikes in various locations across Ukraine have claimed lives. Regional officials reported that Russian attacks over the course of the night resulted in at least 18 fatalities, with a significant tragedy unfolding in the city of Poltava, where missile strikes on a residential building killed 14 people, including two children. Rescuers have been tirelessly sifting through the ruins, facing grim realities as they encounter casualties among the survivors. One local resident, Olena Svyryd, recounted the heartbreak of losing a friend in the attack, emphasizing the tragic toll on the community.
The violence extends beyond Poltava, as reports indicate that three individuals were killed in the Sumy region, with one additional fatality in Kharkiv. Both sides of the conflict have continued to level allegations against each other regarding new violent actions over the weekend, further intensifying the climate of hostility. Ukraine stated that a shelling incident claimed the life of an elderly woman in the Kherson region, while Russia reported two casualties due to alleged Ukrainian drone attacks in the Belgorod region.
On the battlefield, Russian forces have claimed progress, particularly in the ongoing battle for control of strategic territories in eastern Ukraine. Recent statements from the Russian military assert that they have “liberated” the village of Krymske in the northeastern suburbs of Toretsk, a key objective for Moscow in its efforts to disrupt crucial Ukrainian supply lines.
Despite the persistent violence, both Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have indicated openness to discussing the conflict, albeit without committing to specific timelines or processes. Trump has criticized the substantial financial aid the US has provided to Ukraine while suggesting punitive measures against Russia should negotiations fail to yield a resolution. Putin has expressed willingness to engage in talks about the war but has dismissed the prospect of negotiating with Zelensky, labeling him as “illegitimate.”
