Russian say Luhansk dorm drone strike kills 18
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- Russian officials said the death toll from a drone strike on a student dorm in Starobilsk, Luhansk region, rose to 18, with many victims being young women.
- Leonid Pasechnik, head of the Russian‑installed administration, released a list of 21 victims (mostly female, youngest 18) and 41 injured (youngest 15).
- Ukrainian military denied responsibility, claiming it targeted an elite drone command unit, complied with international humanitarian law, and said there were no military facilities in the area.
- President Vladimir Putin ordered the Russian military to prepare retaliation options against Ukraine after the strike.
- U.N. Security Council convened an emergency meeting called by Russia, where Russia accused Ukraine of war crimes and other nations demanded site access.
- Local resident reported rockets hit a former base before drones struck the dorm, sparking fires.
- UN officials condemned all attacks on civilians, referencing a recent Russian missile strike on a UN warehouse that killed two aid workers.
Why it matters: The incident escalates tensions as Russia uses the civilian casualties to justify potential military retaliation, while Ukraine faces increased scrutiny over alleged attacks on civilian sites, and the UN calls for independent investigation, highlighting the humanitarian cost of the conflict.
