Strana 45
Ukrainian Attacks
Ukraine continued its attacks on Russian oil
infrastructure. Among the repeatedly targeted
facilities was the refinery in Tuapse, mentioned
in the previous part of this series. Russian
logistics, especially supply routes leading to
Crimea, were also targeted.
A Ukrainian strike on Starobilsk in the
occupied Luhansk region caused considerable
controversy.
During the night of Friday, May 22, several
university buildings, including a dormitory,
were hit. Ukraine claims the facilities were
being used to recruit and train drone operators,
citing video footage previously published by
Russian sources themselves—which was
reportedly deleted after the Ukrainian strike—
as evidence.
The Russian side claims that the victims
were ordinary students. Initially, Russian
authorities said six students aged 14–18 had
been killed. Later, the reported death toll
increased to 21, while the reported age range
changed to 18–22 years.
These Russian claims could not be
independently verified.
Ukraine challenged the published identities
of some of the alleged victims. In at least six
cases, Russian authorities reportedly used
photographs of young Ukrainian men and
women who had previously been killed in
Russian attacks, cynically presenting them as
victims from Starobilsk.
Russia rejected United Nations requests
for access to the strike site. Although it later
brought selected journalists to the location,
they were shown only the ruins of one
damaged building—the dormitory. They were
not allowed to visit the other buildings that had
been struck.
As retaliation, President Vladimir Putin
ordered the missile strike that employed
Ukrainian drone defense.
Aftermath of the Russian attack on Kyiv on May 13–14. Most of the casualties occurred
in this apartment building, which was destroyed by a Kh-101 cruise missile.
Apartment building in the Romanian city of Galați which was struck by a Russian drone on May 29.
Attack on Kyiv on May 24.
Ukraine has modernized its
Shilka air defense systems.
AIR WAR IN UKRAINE
INFO Eduard
45
July 2026