News Desk
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday accused Ukraine of carrying out a deadly drone attack on a student dormitory in the Russian-controlled Luhansk region and ordered the military to prepare retaliation options.
According to Russian authorities, the attack on a hostel linked to a pedagogical college in Starobilsk killed at least six people, injured dozens and left several others missing, including children. Russian officials said around 86 teenagers were inside the building when multiple drones struck the site overnight.
Putin described the incident as a deliberate attack on civilians, stating there were no military or intelligence facilities near the dormitory. The Kremlin termed the strike a “monstrous crime” and called for international condemnation.
Ukraine denied targeting civilians and said its forces had struck an elite Russian drone command unit operating in the area. Kyiv maintained that its military actions complied with international humanitarian law.
Russian-installed officials in Luhansk said rescue operations were continuing, with fears that more victims could still be trapped under the rubble. Moscow has also requested an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council over the incident.
The latest escalation comes amid intensifying conflict between Russia and Ukraine and renewed accusations from both sides over attacks on civilian areas.