Conflict Escalates in Ukraine: Russia Fires Dozens of Missiles and Drones, Killing 15
Breaking News: Ukraine and Russia Trade Blame for Strike on Boarding School
War in Ukraine Shows No Signs of De-escalation
Fighting in the nearly three-year war in Ukraine has shown no signs of de-escalating, despite US President Donald Trump’s promise to enact a ceasefire within "24 hours" of taking office on January 20.
Russian Strikes Kill 15 in Central and Eastern Ukraine
At least 15 people were killed in Russian strikes on central and eastern Ukraine overnight Friday to Saturday, according to regional authorities and police. Eleven of those, including a child, were killed by a missile that hit a residential building in the central city of Poltava, the local administration said. Firefighters could be seen searching through the smouldering ruins of a building in AFP images from the scene.
Boarding School Hit in Kursk Region
Ukraine accused Russia on Saturday of killing four people in a strike on a boarding school sheltering civilians in the Kursk region town of Sudzha, which Kyiv has occupied for over five months. Moscow responded Sunday by accusing Kyiv’s forces of launching the Sudzha attack. "On February 1, the Ukrainian Armed Forces committed another war crime by launching a targeted missile strike on a boarding school in the city of Sudzha," said a statement from Russia’s defence ministry.
Rescue Efforts Underway
Rescue operations are ongoing in both Poltava and Sudzha, with doctors fighting to save the wounded. In Poltava, 84 civilians were rescued and provided with medical aid, with four reported to be in serious condition and four having died. In Sudzha, rescue workers are still clearing the rubble, with four people confirmed dead and dozens more rescued.
Conflict Continues to Escalate
Moscow has been advancing on the battlefield for over a year, and its invasion of Ukraine will this month hit the three-year mark. The Russian military said Saturday its troops had "liberated" the village of Krymske in the northeastern suburbs of the city of Toretsk. Toretsk in the eastern Donetsk region has been in the Kremlin’s sights for months, as its capture would enable Russia to obstruct vital Ukrainian supply routes.
US and Russia Trade Blame
Both Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin have said they are ready for talks on ending the war, but neither side has said when or how. Trump has been critical of the billions Washington has spent arming Ukraine, while threatening to impose additional sanctions on Russia if Putin does not reach a "deal" to end the war. Putin said last month he was willing to hold talks with Ukraine, but not with Zelensky, whom he called "illegitimate".
Conclusions
The conflict in Ukraine continues to escalate, with no signs of de-escalation in sight. The recent strikes on Poltava and Sudzha have resulted in significant loss of life, and the situation shows no signs of improving. The international community must continue to urge both sides to engage in dialogue and work towards a peaceful resolution to this devastating conflict.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the current state of the conflict in Ukraine?
The conflict in Ukraine is ongoing, with no signs of de-escalation in sight. - How many people have been killed in the recent strikes?
At least 15 people have been killed in the recent strikes, with four confirmed dead in Sudzha and 11 in Poltava. - What is the current situation in the Kursk region?
The Kursk region is a key area of conflict, with Russian forces advancing and Ukrainian forces defending. - What is the international community’s response to the conflict?
The international community has been urging both sides to engage in dialogue and work towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict.