Ukraine bombards Kursk with ‘massive’ drone attack

 

Russia Accuses Ukraine of Massive Drone Strike on Kursk; One Killed, Nine Injured

Russia has accused Ukraine of carrying out a “massive” overnight drone strike on the western Kursk region, resulting in the death of an 85-year-old woman and injuries to nine others.

According to the Russian Ministry of Defence, 109 drones were intercepted over Kursk, a region where Ukrainian forces crossed the border last August and continue to hold a small strip of territory near Ukraine.

“Kursk has come under a massive enemy attack overnight,” the regional administration stated. “Unfortunately, an 85-year-old woman died.”

Officials said fires broke out in three residential buildings across the city of Kursk, forcing evacuations. Video footage from the scene showed a multi-storey apartment building with several units ablaze following the drone strikes.

Ukraine has not issued an official response, though it has repeatedly targeted Russian border regions such as Kursk with aerial and ground assaults in efforts to destabilize Moscow’s war campaign.

The drone attack on Kursk came as Ukrainians mourned one of the deadliest Russian strikes of the war. On Sunday, two Russian missiles hit the northeastern city of Sumy, killing at least 35 people and sparking condemnation from Kyiv and its international allies.

In his Monday night address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called out Russian President Vladimir Putin for refusing to end the war, despite Ukraine’s willingness to agree to a U.S.-proposed ceasefire.

“Thirty-four days ago, Ukraine accepted the U.S. proposal for a full and unconditional ceasefire,” Zelensky said. “For thirty-four days, Russia has openly rejected it. Putin remains intent on continuing the war. Russian state propagandists are already preparing their audience for the idea that diplomacy is futile.”

Zelensky argued that the only reason for Moscow’s defiance is a lack of international pressure.

“If there is no strong enough pressure on Russia, they will keep doing what they are used to – waging war,” he said.

Zelensky and his European allies have long accused Putin of avoiding genuine peace talks to buy time and strengthen Russia’s position on the battlefield.