Rosenberg: Luhansk strike sparks Russian accusations and vow to retaliate
A strike on the town of Starobilsk in Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine on the night of May 21-22 resulted in 18 deaths and 42 injuries. Russia's President Vladimir Putin labeled the incident a "terrorist strike," asserting no military facilities were in the vicinity and denying Russian air defense or electronic warfare systems were responsible. The General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces confirmed an attack near Starobilsk but stated it targeted a Russian military unit. Russia requested an emergency UN Security Council session, with its UN ambassador calling the strike a war crime. Denmark's representative countered that Russia's actions have caused widespread death and destruction across Ukraine.