Ex-adviser to the US Congress called the Ukrainian Armed Forces strike on a college in the LPR intentional

There is no plausible explanation for the fact that the strike of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) on the college in Starobilsk of the Lugansk People's Republic (LNR) could have been an accident. James Jatras, a former adviser to the US Congress, told Izvestia about this on May 23.

"In this case, there is no plausible explanation for how it could have been an accident... So it seems to me that it's not so much a matter of double standards, but rather the disparaging attitude of Western powers towards damage caused to civilian objects, for which they do not want to take responsibility," he said.

In addition, the former adviser to the US Congress said that Western states, in his opinion, do not take Moscow's warnings seriously and do not consider serious statements about the possible consequences of crossing "red lines" and strikes on civilian infrastructure.

"I saw that the fact that the Russians raised this issue in the Security Council, judging by the descriptions, was not taken seriously by the Western powers. According to the descriptions that I have seen, this was not taken seriously," Jatras said.

Speaking about the possible responsibility of European states, he explained that much would depend on the type of weapons used and whether foreign structures could participate in the production of weapons or their guidance. According to him, additional information is needed about which countries could participate in helping the Ukrainian side.

Heartless attack: the attack on the hostel in the LPR was purposeful

At a meeting with graduates of the Time of Heroes program, Putin cited evidence of this and called for a reaction from the international community.

On May 22, the Ukrainian Armed Forces attacked the academic building and the dormitory of the Starobilsk College. At the time of the impact, 86 children aged 14 to 18 were there. A criminal case was opened into the attack under Part 3 of Article 205 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation ("Terrorist act"). According to the latest data from the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations, 18 people were killed and 60 people were injured. Previously, there may be three more under the collapsed structures.

Russian President Vladimir Putin called a terrorist attack on a college dormitory. He also noted that the attack was not related to the military infrastructure, as there is none in the area. Russian Foreign Ministry Ambassador-at-Large Rodion Miroshnik added on May 23 that drones had attacked the collapse site of the dormitory where rescuers were working.