Zelenskyy Accuses Russia of Bombing Its Own Civilians in Kursk School Attack

Ukraine’s president condemns Russia’s tactics as deadly missile strikes kill 12 in Ukraine amid escalating conflict.

Kyiv, February 2 – Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russia of bombing its own civilians, claiming that a Russian aerial bomb struck a boarding school in the Kursk region while civilians were preparing to evacuate.

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Zelenskyy condemned Russia’s military tactics, comparing them to past conflicts in Chechnya and Syria.

“This is how Russia wages war—Sudzha, Kursk region, Russian territory, a boarding school with civilians preparing to evacuate. A Russian aerial bomb. They destroyed the building even though dozens of civilians were there,” Zelenskyy wrote on Saturday.

“This is how Russia waged war against Chechnya decades ago. They killed Syrians the same way. Russian bombs destroy Ukrainian homes the same way. And even against their own civilians, the Russian army uses similar tactics,” he added.

Intensified Conflict & Deadly Strikes on Ukraine

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a DC-based think tank, reported on January 26 that Ukraine had made advancements in the Kursk region. However, Russia later claimed to have recaptured the area.

Meanwhile, Russia launched a massive drone and missile assault on Ukraine on Saturday, killing at least 12 people, according to Al Jazeera.

🔹 Ukraine’s air force reported shooting down 56 drones and intercepting 61 missiles.
🔹 Ukraine’s Emergency Services confirmed that a missile strike in Poltava killed eight people, including a child, and left 17 others injured.

North Korean Troops ‘Probably’ Withdrawn from Kursk

In a separate development, Ukraine’s military suggested that North Korean forces deployed in Russia’s Kursk region have likely retreated due to heavy casualties.

🔸 Colonel Oleksandr Kindratenko, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces, told CNN that North Korean troops have not been observed on the battlefield for three weeks.

“The presence of DPRK troops has not been observed for about three weeks, and they were probably forced to withdraw after suffering heavy losses,” Kindratenko stated.

Conclusion

As Russia escalates its attacks on Ukraine, Zelenskyy’s allegations of Russia bombing its own civilians have added a new layer of controversy to the conflict. With rising casualties and continued military advancements on both sides, the war remains highly volatile, drawing international concern.