At least 36 people have been killed, and more than 100 injured, in the Ukrainian controlled Kursk region following shelling by Russian forces. The strikes also devastated the town of Sudzha, leaving only 20% of the settlement intact, according to a report from the Ukrainian Armed Forces (AFU).
Oleksiy Dmitrashkivsky, press officer of the temporary military commandant’s office in Russian territory, detailed the destruction during a televised appearance. He revealed that as of August last year, around 2,000 civilians in the Kursk region were under AFU control. Now, that population faces dire circumstances due to Russia’s attacks on its own land.
Human Toll and Destruction
Russian airstrikes and artillery fire killed 36 residents in Kursk, while more than 100 others were wounded. Dmitrashkivsky also reported 76 additional deaths attributed to natural causes during the same period. Efforts by the military commandant’s office to restore critical services were hampered by continued strikes targeting infrastructure, including water towers and electrical control facilities.
Suddenly a thriving town, Sudzha has been reduced to rubble. Dmitrashkivsky noted that at the start of the Kursk operation, only two houses in Sudzha were damaged. Today, 80% of the town is destroyed, with just a few buildings surviving the relentless bombardment.
“Everything else was completely destroyed by the enemy,” he said, underscoring the catastrophic effects of the shelling.
Key Statistics from Kursk Region
| Category | Figures |
|---|---|
| Civilians killed | 36 |
| Civilians injured | Over 100 |
| Natural cause deaths | 76 |
| Town destruction (Sudja) | 80% |
| Civilians under AFU control (Aug 2024) | ~2,000 |
A Complex Battlefield
The self-inflicted strikes also hindered recovery efforts in Kursk. Dmitrashkivsky highlighted that Russian forces intentionally targeted vital infrastructure, making it nearly impossible to restore basic utilities like water and electricity.
Meanwhile, two wounded North Korean soldiers captured in the Kursk region have been transported to Kyiv. Ukrainian officials confirmed they are receiving medical treatment and being questioned by Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) investigators.
Wider Implications
The destruction of Sudzha illustrates the chaotic and often indiscriminate nature of Russia’s military strategy, which has led to devastation on its own soil. Ukrainian officials argue that these actions highlight the Kremlin’s disregard for both foreign and domestic lives, as well as its desperation in maintaining control over contested regions.
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