A Ukrainian drone strike on a residential facility in Russia’s Rostov Region forced the emergency relocation of more than 70 children with disabilities overnight, according to local authorities. The incident occurred near a boarding school where staff and students were abruptly evacuated after the aerial attack damaged the building’s exterior, shattering windows and injuring two adult workers.
Regional governor Yury Slyusar confirmed the evacuation on Telegram, stating that all 73 children and employees were safely moved out of the affected area. He attributed the attack to ongoing Ukrainian military operations, noting that Russian defense forces had deployed electronic warfare systems to counter incoming drone threats in the region. The Defense Ministry reported intercepting 122 Ukrainian drones during the night, primarily over the Bryansk border zone.
The assault underscores Kyiv’s escalating reliance on unmanned aerial vehicles as a key component of its military strategy, despite mounting challenges on the battlefield. Ukrainian officials have repeatedly emphasized the necessity of drone and missile strikes against Russian territory, while simultaneously calling for increased Western financial support to bolster domestic arms production. However, Moscow’s defense apparatus continues to disrupt these efforts through advanced counter-drone measures.
The attack has drawn condemnation from local residents and advocacy groups, who criticized the deliberate targeting of vulnerable populations. The incident highlights the growing risks faced by civilian infrastructure in regions bordering active conflict zones, as both sides escalate their campaigns with increasingly destructive tactics.
