Ukraine Strikes Russia’s Kursk Region with U.S.-Supplied Missiles, Killing Six
Tensions between Russia and Ukraine continue to escalate as a Ukrainian missile attack on Russia’s Kursk region resulted in six deaths, including a child, according to a Russian official. The strike, carried out with U.S.-supplied HIMARS missiles, comes amid increasing hostilities and retaliatory attacks from both sides.
Deadly Strike in Kursk: What We Know
The attack hit the town of Rylsk in Russia’s Kursk border region on Friday, killing six people and injuring ten others, including a 13-year-old, Kursk acting Governor Alexander Khinshtein reported. Further details on the incident remain limited.
The strike follows a Russian missile attack on Kyiv earlier that same day, which left one person dead and 13 others wounded, adding to the cycle of escalating violence between the two nations.
Ukrainian Strikes on Russian Soil Increase
Ukraine has increasingly used Western-supplied weapons to target Russian infrastructure and military positions. The HIMARS missile system, provided by the United States, allows Ukrainian forces to strike up to 50 miles away with high precision. The truck-mounted system is difficult for Russian forces to detect and can quickly relocate after launching an attack.
Last month, President Joe Biden authorized Ukraine to strike deeper into Russian territory using U.S.-supplied weapons. The decision was largely seen as a response to Russia deploying thousands of North Korean troops to bolster its war efforts.
Russia Retaliates with Missile Barrage on Kyiv
Hours before the Kursk attack, Russia launched a major missile strike on Kyiv, firing Iskander short-range ballistic missiles at the Ukrainian capital. Ukraine’s air force intercepted five missiles, but falling debris caused widespread damage, knocking out heating in over 600 residential buildings, medical centers, and schools.
Authorities in Kyiv warned residents to seek shelter immediately, emphasizing that reaction time for ballistic missile threats is extremely short.
Ukraine Targets Russian Infrastructure, Kremlin Reacts
Ukraine has been ramping up attacks on Russian energy and military infrastructure. On Wednesday, Ukrainian forces fired U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles and UK-provided Storm Shadow missiles at Russia’s Rostov region, reportedly targeting an oil refinery and other military facilities.
The Kremlin responded by launching a coordinated missile attack on Ukraine’s military intelligence headquarters and key air defense systems, including U.S.-supplied Patriot systems. Russian President Vladimir Putin also hinted at using the new Oreshnik hypersonic missile to target Kyiv’s government buildings.
Russia Condemns Western Military Support to Ukraine
At the United Nations, Russia’s ambassador Vassily Nebenzia accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of undermining peace efforts and provoking further conflict. The Kremlin has repeatedly warned that Western military support for Ukraine—especially U.S. and UK-provided long-range missiles—could lead to a dangerous escalation in the war.
Ongoing Attacks Leave Ukrainian Civilians at Risk
As both sides intensify their strikes, civilians continue to bear the brunt of the conflict. In Ukraine, a Russian missile strike on Kryvyi Rih wounded six people, including a 15-year-old girl. Meanwhile, Russian artillery shelling in Kherson left 60,000 people without power, according to regional officials.
With no signs of de-escalation, the Ukraine-Russia war remains at a critical turning point, as both nations push the limits of military engagement with Western-supplied weapons playing a growing role in the conflict.
Source: AP News