Deadly strike on occupied Luhansk college followed by major Russian barrage on Kyiv
A Ukrainian strike on a college dormitory in the Russian-occupied town of Starobilsk/Starobelsk in Luhansk Oblast triggered a fast-moving escalation in rhetoric and attacks, with Russian-installed authorities reporting a steadily rising death toll at the school site and Russia launching a large missile-and-drone assault on Kyiv days later that Ukrainian officials said killed several people and injured nearly 100.
Background and context
Russian authorities and state media said the initial incident occurred in Starobelsk, a town in Luhansk Oblast under Russian control. Deutsche Welle reported on May 23 that Russian authorities in Luhansk said a Ukrainian drone hit a university dormitory, killing 10 and wounding dozens, and that President Vladimir Putin condemned the barrage and ordered the army to prepare a response.
Ukraine disputed key elements of Russia’s account. The Kyiv Independent reported on May 22 that Kyiv called Russian claims about civilians killed in occupied Luhansk Oblast “misleading information,” underscoring an early divergence in narratives around what was struck and who was harmed.
Key developments: death toll rises; hospitalizations reported
Russian state outlet TASS published a series of updates indicating the toll increased as rubble was cleared. On May 23, TASS reported the “death toll … rises to 16,” saying four more bodies had been recovered from under the rubble. Later the same day, TASS reported the toll had reached 21 and that “search operations [were] over,” with the ministry saying all bodies had been recovered.
Other outlets cited different totals. The Hindu and The Japan Times reported on May 23 that the strike on a college in the Russian-occupied town killed 18, citing officials. Deutsche Welle’s May 23 report cited 10 dead at that time, reflecting the evolving and contested casualty reporting.
On May 24, TASS reported 10 people remained hospitalized after the drone attack, adding that first responders said 32 people had been discharged for outpatient treatment.
Russian retaliation claims and Kyiv hit by missiles and drones
After Russia signaled it would respond, Kyiv and surrounding areas were struck in a major overnight attack. Deutsche Welle reported on May 24 that Russia carried out a “massive drone and missile attack” on Kyiv and its region, killing at least four people, and said Russia used a hypersonic Oreshnik missile. The Guardian similarly described a “hypersonic ballistic missile” used in a “massive” attack, while Sky News reported at least four killed and said President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed a hypersonic missile was used.
Ukrainian officials provided additional damage and casualty details. Ukrinform said Russia’s May 24 attack damaged more than 40 locations in Kyiv, and separately reported damage to the Kyiv Municipal Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre. Zelenskyy said nearly 100 people were injured across Ukraine and four killed in the overnight attack, according to Ukrinform. In subsequent updates, Ukrinform said the Kyiv death toll from May 24 rose to three. (Different outlets cited varying fatality figures as assessments changed.)
Reactions, messaging, and competing narratives
Putin was reported by multiple outlets to have ordered the army to prepare a response after the Starobilsk strike (DW; The Hindu). TASS earlier cited Putin denouncing the “Kiev regime” as an “illegitimate junta.”
Russia also amplified its version of events by facilitating media access. TASS said fragments of drones used in the Starobelsk attack were shown to foreign reporters, who visited damaged buildings including the dormitory. Al Jazeera reported Russia “invites media to view” the deadly strike damage in occupied Luhansk.
Meanwhile, Russia-linked outlets framed Western reactions as selective. RT argued EU leaders were “silent” on the dorm attack while condemning retaliatory strikes on Kyiv, and separately highlighted commentary accusing Europe of hypocrisy.
Conclusion: situation remains contested as fallout spreads
As of May 24–25, Russian authorities said recovery operations at the Starobelsk college site were complete and reported dozens of casualties, while Ukrainian officials focused on the scale of Russia’s subsequent attacks and the damage across Kyiv and other cities, including reported strikes in Dnipro and Derhachi in Kharkiv region (Ukrinform). With casualty figures and responsibility narratives differing by source—and with Russia warning of further “systematic strikes” on Kyiv, according to Al Jazeera—the episode has deepened an already volatile cycle of claims and reprisals.