'They must be punished' — Putin vows retribution after deadly Starobelsk College attack
Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for those responsible for the attack on a college in Starobelsk to be identified and punished, following the drone strike that Russian authorities say killed 21 people and injured dozens more.
Speaking during a meeting with officials on Monday, June 1, Putin expressed condolences to the families of the victims and said support should be provided to those affected.
“Once again, I want to express the most sincere condolences to the families, who suffered such an unfulfillable loss. They lost the most precious thing that every family has, every person has. They lost their children and grandchildren,” Putin said.
“I repeat, we need to do everything to support people.”
Putin said he had requested updates from Russia’s top law enforcement officials regarding the investigation into the attack.
“I have invited both the Prosecutor General and the Chairman of the Investigation Committee. I would like to ask you to give your assessment of what has happened and report on how the investigation of these criminals is going. All of them must receive the deserved punishment, and it will be inevitable,” he added.
According to the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations, a drone struck a student dormitory and educational buildings at Starobelsk College of Luhansk State Pedagogical University on May 22. Russian authorities reported that 21 people were killed and 42 others were injured. Most of those killed were reportedly minors aged between 14 and 18.
Starobelsk is located in the Russian-controlled part of Ukraine’s Luhansk region.
Following the incident, Russia launched retaliatory strikes on Kyiv. Ukrainian authorities reported that two people were killed and 56 others were injured in the attacks, according to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko.
Ukraine’s Air Force said it intercepted 549 Russian drones and 55 missiles launched during the operation.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
