Russian law enforcement authorities on Friday launched a criminal investigation into a deadly Ukrainian drone strike on a convent in the southwestern Kursk region.
Two young men were said to have been killed when drones dropped explosives on the Trinity Convent in the village of Durovo-Bobrik, around 30 kilometers (18.5 miles) from the border with Ukraine’s Sumy region.
“Two guys who came to pick up relatives at night were killed,” said Russian Orthodox priest Pavel Ostrovsky, who published videos of the destroyed convent. “The nuns survived.”
Pro-war blogger Roman Alyokhin, who serves as an adviser to Kursk region Governor Alexei Smirnov, claimed locals told him the attack took place on Sunday evening while the young men attempted to evacuate a family.
Russia’s Investigative Committee, which probes major crimes, announced an investigation into murder, terrorism, property damage, arms trafficking, border violations and using violence against officials.
“Two civilians were killed and residential buildings and structures were destroyed as a result of these criminal acts,” the law enforcement body said.
The Investigative Committee named Ukrainian “armed formations, other paramilitary groups and mercenaries” as suspects in the probe.
“All representatives of Ukrainian armed formations involved in these crimes will be identified and brought to justice in accordance with the law,” it added.
Russia’s Defense Ministry and Governor Smirnov, both of which report regularly on Ukrainian attacks, have not commented on the Trinity Convent strike.
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