Ukraine’s General Staff rejected Russian claims that Ukrainian forces struck civilian infrastructure in occupied Starobilsk, Luhansk region, saying the accusations were “manipulative” and that Kyiv had targeted a Russian military facility.
Russian officials claimed that a Ukrainian drone strike hit a student dormitory in Starobilsk, killing six people and injuring dozens. Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the military to prepare responses, Reuters reported.
Ukraine denied targeting civilians. The General Staff said Ukrainian forces had struck one of the headquarters of Russia’s Rubikon drone unit in the Starobilsk area. According to Kyiv, the unit is involved in attacks on Ukrainian civilians.
“The Armed Forces of Ukraine strike only military infrastructure and facilities used for military purposes,” the General Staff said, adding that Ukrainian forces comply with international humanitarian law, as well as the laws and customs of war.
Starobilsk, in Luhansk Oblast, has been under Russian occupation since the early stages of Moscow’s full-scale invasion.