Russian Strikes Hit Ukrainian School and National Academy of Sciences

Russian forces executed a series of strikes against civilian and cultural targets in Ukraine between September 28 and September 29. In Kyiv, a drone struck the 19th-century headquarters of the National Academy of Sciences on Volodymyrska Street, killing two people and causing extensive damage to the landmark building.

On Tuesday, September 29, Russian forces used guided aerial bombs to strike the city center of Sumy. The attack hit a school building during classes and damaged nearby residential areas. Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported two deaths and six injuries, including three children, though some local media reports claimed there were no fatalities. Approximately 100 students and teachers were evacuated from a shelter during the attack.

These incidents occurred alongside broader Russian strikes on energy and civilian infrastructure in the Odesa region and the capital. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha responded to the destruction of scientific and cultural sites by calling on Unesco to strip Russia of its voting rights and eligibility for governing bodies. Unesco has confirmed damage to 560 cultural sites across Ukraine as of late September.