Deadly Escalation: Ukrainian Drone Strikes Kursk After Russian Missile Attack on Sumy​

In a significant escalation of the Russian-Ukraine war, over 100 Ukrainian drones attacked Russia’s Kursk region overnight, resulting in the death of an 85-year-old woman and injuries to nine others. The Russian Defense Ministry reported that air defense systems intercepted and destroyed 115 drones, with 109 downed over Kursk. Other drones were caught in the Moscow, Voronezh, Bryansk, and  Orel areas.

Multiple fires in residential structures brought about by drone attacks destroyed many stories and resulted in resident relocation to makeshift shelters. Three residential houses were impacted, as well as an ambulance garage suffered damage to eleven cars. One of the impact locations revealed metal particles, including steel balls, suggesting explosive device usage.

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Following a devastating Russian missile assault on April 13, when two ballistic missiles with cluster bombs struck the northeastern Ukrainian city of Sumy, the drone attack on Kursk, along with injuring over 100 others, the attack claimed 35 lives—including two children. Launched from Russia’s Kursk and Voronezh areas, the missiles landed on people assembling for Palm Sunday prayers.

The strike wrecked 13 structures, 28 vehicles, 90 homes, and two schools. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, denounced the attack and demanded a forceful worldwide reaction. While European officials also denounced the strike, U.S. President Donald Trump called the episode “terrible.” Russia said it intended to arrest a Ukrainian military commander, but it offered no proof to back up this allegation.

Thirty four days ago, Ukraine responded positively to the U.S. proposal for a full and unconditional ceasefire. And for thirty four days now, Russia has been openly refusing to cease fire. Putin remains focused on continuing the war. Russian state propagandists are preparing… pic.twitter.com/nqSlegFOMD

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) April 14, 2025

With both sides blaming one another for attacking civilians, the new strikes draw attention to the continuous escalation in the Russian-Ukraine confrontation. In retaliation for Russian bombs on Ukrainian communities, Ukraine has progressively attacked Russian border areas.

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Now in its third year, the conflict has claimed thousands of civilian lives—the great majority of them Ukrainian. The world community is split on how to respond as the war goes on; some want more severe penalties on Russia, while others support fresh diplomatic initiatives to bring about a ceasefire.