Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday condemned the Ukrainian attack on the Starobilsk College of Luhansk Pedagogical University in the Russia-controlled Luhansk region that killed six people and injured 39 others. Speaking at a meeting with graduates of the 'Time of Heroes' program in the Kremlin, Putin ordered the Russian Defense Ministry to submit proposals for a response to the Ukrainian attack on the college. He stressed that the attack on the college was deliberate, saying Ukrainian forces launched 'three waves' of strikes at the same location and rejecting claims that the strike could have been the result of air defense or electronic warfare.
According to Anadolu Agency, Putin emphasized the absence of military facilities or related services near the dormitory, countering claims that Russian defense systems could have caused the strike. However, the Ukrainian General Staff denied Russia's assertions on Telegram, accusing Russian media of spreading manipulative information about the alleged damage by Ukrainian forces to civilian infrastructure in occupied territories.
Kyiv maintained that its forces target military infrastructure and facilities used for military purposes, adhering to international humanitarian law and customs of war. Ukrainian authorities reported that during the overnight strikes, they targeted Russia's oil refinery, ammunition depots, air defense systems, command posts, and Russian manpower, including a headquarters of Rubicon in Starobilsk, described as a Russian special military unit involved in strikes on civilians.
In response, the Russian Foreign Ministry declared a criminal case on 'terrorism' charges, vowing that all responsible parties will face severe punishment. The ministry claimed that the attack was executed with long-range weapons supplied by NATO countries and alleged foreign assistance in targeting operations. Moscow has requested an emergency UN Security Council meeting following the attack, as announced by Yevgeny Uspensky, spokesperson for Russia's permanent mission to the UN, to state news agency Tass.