Russia Accuses Ukraine of Deadly Attack in Starobilsk
Russian President Vladimir Putin has vowed to respond after accusing Ukraine of carrying out a deadly drone strike in the occupied town of Starobilsk in the Luhansk region.
According to Russian officials, the overnight attack killed six people and injured 39 others. Authorities also said 15 people were still missing after the strike damaged a student dormitory building.
Putin claimed the attack happened in three waves and involved 16 drones. Speaking at a reception in Moscow, he rejected suggestions that Russian air defence systems caused the destruction.
He stated that no military or intelligence facilities were located near the building. Putin also instructed the Russian military to prepare plans for retaliation.
Ukraine Says Russian Drone Unit Was Targeted
Ukraine’s military later confirmed that its forces carried out a strike in Starobilsk. However, Ukrainian officials said the operation targeted the headquarters of Russia’s elite Rubicon drone military unit.
Kyiv accused the Rubicon unit of launching repeated drone attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure across Ukraine.
Ukraine did not confirm whether the targeted building was the same dormitory mentioned by Russian authorities.
The Ukrainian military stressed that its forces continue to follow international humanitarian law during military operations. Officials also said Ukrainian attacks focus only on military infrastructure and facilities connected to combat activities.
Injured Student Shown on Russian Television
Russian state television aired footage of an injured student identified as 19 year old Diana Shovkun. Reports said she suffered head injuries after a concrete slab collapsed during the strike.
Russian media did not release images or videos of the people reportedly killed in the incident.
The attack has increased tensions between Moscow and Kyiv as fighting continues across several occupied regions of Ukraine.
Zelensky Claims Strike on Russian Security Headquarters
Earlier this week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed Ukrainian forces also struck the headquarters of Russia’s Federal Security Service in the occupied Kherson region.
Zelensky said around 100 Russian personnel were either killed or injured during that operation.
Russia’s defence ministry has not officially commented on the claim. However, a pro Kremlin Telegram channel acknowledged casualties following what it described as a massive drone attack.
War Continues as Both Sides Exchange Accusations
Since the start of Russia’s full scale invasion in 2022, Ukraine has repeatedly accused Moscow of targeting civilians and damaging civilian infrastructure.
Russia has consistently denied those accusations and claims its military operations focus only on strategic and military targets.
The latest strike in Starobilsk adds to growing tensions as both countries continue drone and missile attacks during the ongoing war.
