Russia blames Ukraine, vows retaliation as 16 killed in strike on student dorm
NBC News • • world
Key Points:
- The death toll from a drone strike on a student dormitory in the Russian-controlled Luhansk region of eastern Ukraine has risen to 16, with most victims being young women, according to Russian officials.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered military preparations for retaliation against Ukraine, accusing Kyiv of deliberately targeting a college in Starobilsk, a claim denied by Ukraine, which said it targeted a military drone command unit and complied with international law.
- The incident sparked a heated debate at the U.N. Security Council, with Russia accusing Ukraine of war crimes and Ukraine calling the claims baseless; several countries called for access to the site amid condemnation of attacks on civilians.
- In related developments, Ukraine conducted drone strikes on Russian oil facilities in the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk and the Perm region, causing injuries and damage, while Russia reported fires and injuries from drone debris but denied significant damage to a chemical plant.