“Once again, I want to express the most sincere condolences to the families, who suffered such an unfulfillable loss. They lost the most precious thing that every family has, every person has. They lost their children and grandchildren,” Putin said.

“I repeat, we need to do everything to support people .”

Putin said he had requested updates from Russia’s top law enforcement officials regarding the investigation into the attack.

“I have invited both the Prosecutor General and the Chairman of the Investigation Committee. I would like to ask you to give your assessment of what has happened and report on how the investigation of these criminals is going. All of them must receive the deserved punishment, and it will be inevitable,” he added.

According to the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations, a drone struck a student dormitory and educational buildings at Starobelsk College of Luhansk State Pedagogical University on May 22. Russian authorities reported that 21 people were killed and 42 others were injured. Most of those killed were reportedly minors aged between 14 and 18.

Starobelsk is located in the Russian-controlled part of Ukraine’s Luhansk region.

Following the incident, Russia launched retaliatory strikes on Kyiv. Ukrainian authorities reported that two people were killed and 56 others were injured in the attacks, according to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko.

Ukraine’s Air Force said it intercepted 549 Russian drones and 55 missiles launched during the operation.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said more than 50 journalists from 19 countries joined the trip to inspect the site of the attack.  

According to Zakharova, the visiting media representatives came from Austria, Brazil, Britain, Hungary, Venezuela, Germany, Greece, Spain, Italy, Qatar, China, Cuba, Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, the United States , Turkey, Finland and France.

She also claimed that the BBC declined the invitation, CNN cited staff holidays, and Japanese journalists were reportedly prevented from covering the incident.

Russia’s Emergency Situations Ministry said at least 21 people were killed and 42 were injured in the strike, while rescue operations at the site have now concluded.  

Leonid Pasechnik, the Russian-installed head of the LPR, said Ukrainian forces targeted a college building and student dormitory in Starobelsk on Friday. Russian officials said dozens of students were inside the building when the attack occurred.

Russian President Vladimir Putin described the strike as a “terrorist act” and said the attack appeared deliberate. 

Russia’s Investigative Committee opened a criminal case under terrorism charges following the incident.

Ukraine’s General Staff said the strikes targeted military-related infrastructure , including what it described as the headquarters of the “Rubicon” Centre for Advanced Unmanned Technologies in Starobelsk.