Image Credits-BBC
Thirteen people were injured in the Russian city of Kursk on Monday after debris from a Ukrainian missile struck a nine-story residential building, local officials reported. The incident marks the latest escalation in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which has increasingly affected civilian areas in border regions.
According to Alexei Smirnov, the acting governor of Kursk, the missile was intercepted and destroyed by Russian air defences before it could reach its intended target. However, fragments of the missile fell onto the residential building, causing significant damage and injuring several residents. Emergency services were quickly dispatched to the scene, where they provided medical assistance to the injured and evacuated the building as a precautionary measure.
Governor Smirnov expressed his concern over the rising danger to civilians in Kursk and neighboring areas as the Ukrainian military intensifies its offensive operations near the border. He ordered local authorities to expedite the evacuation of civilians from high-risk zones and enhance protective measures to safeguard residents.
“Today’s incident underscores the urgent need to protect our citizens from the ongoing hostilities,” Smirnov said in a statement. He also ensured that all necessary steps are being taken to ensure safety of the people, including the acceleration of evacuations in risk prone areas.
The strike on Kursk comes amid a broader Ukrainian counteroffensive aimed at reclaiming territory lost to Russian forces since the start of the conflict. As the fighting continues, border regions like Kursk have become increasingly vulnerable to spillover violence, raising fears of further casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure.
Authorities in Kursk have urged residents to remain vigilant and adhere to safety protocols as tensions in the region show no signs of abating. The situation remains fluid, with both sides in the conflict bracing for further escalations.