Kursk Under Attack: On April 15, 2025, Russian officials reported a deadly overnight drone strike in Kursk, a city near the Ukrainian border. According to regional authorities, the attack resulted in the death of an 85-year-old woman and injuries to nine other individuals. The regional government described the strike as "massive," noting that fires broke out in apartment blocks across the city. Sergei Kotlyarov, the acting mayor of Kursk, stated that a multi-story apartment building was damaged, and residents were evacuated to a nearby school.

Retaliation and Mourning: This attack on Kursk occurred a day after a devastating Russian missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Sumy, which claimed the lives of at least 34 people. The Sumy attack, one of the deadliest in the ongoing war, took place on Palm Sunday, prompting widespread condemnation from Western leaders. US President Donald Trump described the attack as "a horrible thing," while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy invited him to witness the devastation caused by Russia's invasion firsthand.

Ukraine's Claims of Destroyed Russian Vehicles: Amidst the ongoing conflict, Ukrainian commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi announced that Ukrainian forces have destroyed thousands of Russian military vehicles since the beginning of 2025. Syrskyi reported that, up to April 15, 2025, 11,583 vehicles and pieces of special equipment had been destroyed. He also claimed that over 35,000 Russian military vehicles were destroyed in the previous year. According to Syrskyi, these attacks have significantly hampered Russian logistics by preventing the delivery of equipment, ammunition, and fuel to Russian soldiers.

International Response and Ceasefire Efforts: Poland’s Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski criticized the Russian attacks on Kryvyi Rih and Sumy, stating that they mocked ceasefire efforts initiated over a month prior by Ukraine. He urged President Trump to recognize what he characterized as Putin's mockery of these ceasefire attempts.

Ongoing Coverage: The situation remains fluid, with DW providing continuous updates on the war in Ukraine. The recent events highlight the intense and relentless nature of the conflict, marked by attacks on civilian areas and significant military actions.