Story perspectives

Drone Attack Kills 10 in Starobilsk Dorm, Putin Decries Terrorism

5/25/2026

Summary

Story summary

The drone strike on a student dormitory in occupied Starobilsk killed ten people, injured 48 and left 11 missing.
Russia’s human rights commissioner Yana Lantratova called on international organisations to intervene after the attack.
President Vladimir Putin described the strike as a terrorist act and ordered the army to develop retaliation options.
Emergency services provided on-site assistance, including psychological support, while Russian authorities opened a criminal investigation.

History

Historical Context

In March 1999 NATO launched Operation Allied Force against Yugoslavia, flying over 38,000 combat missions without UN Security Council approval. On 7 May the campaign mistakenly struck the Chinese embassy in Belgrade, killing three journalists and sparking Chinese outrage. The incident highlighted the legal controversy of NATO’s first unilateral air war and its civilian-risk legacy.

1 of 2

Story summary

The drone strike on a student dormitory in occupied Starobilsk killed ten people, injured 48 and left 11 missing.
Russia’s human rights commissioner Yana Lantratova called on international organisations to intervene after the attack.
President Vladimir Putin described the strike as a terrorist act and ordered the army to develop retaliation options.
Emergency services provided on-site assistance, including psychological support, while Russian authorities opened a criminal investigation.

1 / 2