Kyiv forces have launched a major drone attack on Russia’s Kursk region, which borders Ukraine, resulting in the death of an elderly woman, injuries to nine others, and significant damage to buildings. Russian authorities reported on Tuesday that the attack also sparked fires in several structures in the region’s administrative center.
The Russian Defense Ministry stated that its forces shot down 109 drones over the Kursk region overnight. However, the ministry typically only provides data on the number of drones it destroys, not on the number launched by Ukraine.
“Kursk has been subjected to a massive enemy attack overnight,” the Kursk region administration said in a post on Telegram. “Unfortunately, an 85-year-old woman died,” they added.
The drone strikes caused damage to a multi-storey apartment building, igniting several flats. Acting Mayor Sergei Kotlyarov of Kursk reported on Telegram that residents were evacuated to a nearby school. Photos shared by the region’s administration showed a building with blown-out windows and fire damage to its facade. Additionally, drones struck an ambulance garage, destroying 11 vehicles.
This attack follows a Ukrainian drone assault on the Kursk region the previous evening, which killed three people, according to Russian officials. However, Reuters could not independently verify these claims.
There was no immediate comment from Ukraine regarding the latest attack.
Both sides have consistently denied intentionally targeting civilians. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which began over three years ago, has caused thousands of civilian casualties, the majority of them Ukrainian.
The Kursk region, along with other Russian territories near the Ukrainian border, has been frequently attacked by Ukrainian forces. Kyiv claims its aim is to weaken Russia’s overall military efforts.
In the past year, Ukrainian troops launched a cross-border operation in Kursk, where they briefly captured parts of the region. Although much of the territory has since been reclaimed by Russian forces, Ukrainian troops still hold some areas.
This strike on Kursk follows a deadly Russian missile and bomb attack on Ukraine’s Sumy city over the weekend, which killed 35 people and injured at least 119 others. The Kremlin claimed it was targeting a meeting of Ukrainian army commanders, accusing Ukraine of using civilians as human shields.
Since the war began, Russia’s missile and drone strikes have repeatedly hit civilian infrastructure, including apartment buildings, hospitals, schools, and train stations, across Ukraine.
