Putin condemns deadly Ukraine attack on Luhansk college

President Vladimir Putin has strongly condemned a Ukrainian strike on the Starobilsk College of Luhansk Pedagogical University in the Russian‑controlled Luhansk region, which killed six people and wounded 39 others. Speaking at a Kremlin meeting, Putin ordered the Russian Defence Ministry to submit proposals for a response, stressing that the attack was deliberate. He noted that Ukrainian forces launched “three waves” of strikes on the same location, rejecting suggestions that the incident could have resulted from air defence or electronic warfare activity.

No military targets nearby

Putin emphasised that there are no military facilities, intelligence agencies, or related services near the dormitory that was hit. “Therefore, there is no basis for saying that the shells struck the building under the influence of our air defence or electronic warfare systems,” he said. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s General Staff denied the allegations on Telegram, calling them “manipulative information” and stating that Kyiv’s forces strike only military infrastructure and facilities used for military purposes, strictly adhering to international humanitarian law.

Criminal case and UN response

The Russian Foreign Ministry has opened a criminal case on “terrorism” charges, vowing that “all those responsible will be identified and face inevitable severe punishment.” Moscow also requested an emergency UN Security Council meeting. Russian officials claimed the strike used long‑range weapons supplied by NATO countries, including drones, and alleged foreign specialists assisted targeting.