Russia invites over 50 foreign journalists to inspect deadly strike site in Starobelsk blamed on Ukraine

A group of foreign journalists travelled from Moscow to Starobelsk in the Russian-controlled Lugansk People’s Republic (LPR) on Sunday following a deadly strike on a college and dormitory building that Russia has blamed on Ukraine.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said more than 50 journalists from 19 countries joined the trip to inspect the site of the attack.  

According to Zakharova, the visiting media representatives came from Austria, Brazil, Britain, Hungary, Venezuela, Germany, Greece, Spain, Italy, Qatar, China, Cuba, Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, the United States, Turkey, Finland and France.

She also claimed that the BBC declined the invitation, CNN cited staff holidays, and Japanese journalists were reportedly prevented from covering the incident.

Russia’s Emergency Situations Ministry said at least 21 people were killed and 42 were injured in the strike, while rescue operations at the site have now concluded.  

Leonid Pasechnik, the Russian-installed head of the LPR, said Ukrainian forces targeted a college building and student dormitory in Starobelsk on Friday. Russian officials said dozens of students were inside the building when the attack occurred.

Russian President Vladimir Putin described the strike as a “terrorist act” and said the attack appeared deliberate. 

Russia’s Investigative Committee opened a criminal case under terrorism charges following the incident.

Ukraine’s General Staff said the strikes targeted military-related infrastructure, including what it described as the headquarters of the “Rubicon” Centre for Advanced Unmanned Technologies in Starobelsk.