Putin Threatens Response After Luhansk Dormitory Strike Claim

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday blamed Ukraine for what he described as a deadly drone strike on a student dormitory in Starobilsk, in the Russian-controlled Luhansk region of eastern Ukraine, and said Russia would retaliate. State television carried his comments, saying he had instructed the military to prepare response options. Russian-installed authorities said six people were killed and dozens injured, with 15 people still unaccounted for.

Ukraine’s military rejected the accusation and said its operations targeted Russian military assets, including what it described as an elite drone command unit in the area. Ukrainian officials said the strikes also hit an oil refinery, ammunition depots, air defense systems and command centers.

The claims could not be independently verified. The episode comes as both sides report intensified drone activity and long-range strikes against energy and logistics sites.

Nuclear watchdog reports power disruption risk

The U.N. nuclear watchdog said Ukrainian authorities reported a fire at the Dniprovska 750-kilovolt electrical substation caused by military activity. The watchdog said the incident partially disconnected an operating nuclear power plant from off-site power supply at the request of the grid operator while firefighters worked to contain the blaze.

Separately, officials in Russia’s Black Sea port of Novorossiysk said falling drone debris triggered a fire at an oil terminal, injuring two people and damaging several technical and administrative buildings. The injured men were reported to have been outside when the drones struck and were taken to a hospital.

Ukraine’s forces also attacked a Russian oil refinery in Yaroslavl, according to the article.

Calls for tougher NATO posture and U.S. aid release

Czech President Petr Pavel urged NATO to take a more assertive stance against what he described as Russia’s provocations on the alliance’s eastern flank. He suggested steps such as disrupting internet access, cutting off banking ties to global financial systems, and intercepting aircraft that violate allied airspace.

In Washington, a bipartisan group of U.S. senators pressed the Department of Defense to release about $600 million in security assistance for Ukraine and other Eastern European allies, citing delays in disbursement.

Officials in Kyiv and Moscow have continued to trade accusations over strikes and civilian harm. Diplomats and defense officials are expected to keep discussing military support and escalation risks in the days ahead.