Ukraine Presents Evidence of Russian Airstrike on Nursing Home in Sudzha

The Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) have presented evidence confirming that a Russian airstrike targeted a nursing home in Sudzha, Kursk region, where civilians were sheltering. The attack, which occurred on February 1, resulted in multiple casualties and injuries.

According to the AFU’s Air Force Command, a Russian aircraft deployed a guided aerial bomb (KAB) at approximately 18:00 local time. The target was a three-story building, formerly a nursing home, located at 7 Lenin Street, which was serving as temporary housing for 86 civilians. Additionally, a detachment of four Ukrainian National Police officers was stationed at the facility.

The strike caused extensive damage, destroying the central section of the building. As of 21:00, four fatalities and four severe injuries were confirmed. The wounded were evacuated to stabilization points for medical assistance and potential transfer to hospitals. Approximately 80 civilians remained unharmed.

In response to the attack, the Russian side attempted to attribute the responsibility for the strike to Ukraine. However, Ukrainian military authorities released conclusive evidence, including screenshots from the ‘Virazh-Planchet’ system, detailing the flight trajectory of the Russian bomb. The data indicates that the ordnance was released from the Medvenka-Oboyan area in Russia by a Su-34 fighter-bomber at an altitude of 4,000 meters before it struck the internat.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine also published video footage from the site, confirming that dozens of civilians were inside the building at the time of the strike. Many of the individuals present were preparing for evacuation.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reacted to the attack, stating that Russia has consistently used similar tactics in past conflicts. He referenced previous Russian military actions in Chechnya and Syria and emphasized that such operations continue to be carried out against civilians.

“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,” President Zelenskyy wrote.

Ukrainian military officials reiterated that Russian forces were aware that the internat housed only civilians, including women and children.

Earlier, Russian forces dropped a FAB-3000M54 guided bomb on the village of Darino in the Kursk region, as confirmed by footage released by Russian media on October 28. The strike, part of an ongoing assault, destroyed multiple residential houses.