In a sombre address from the Kremlin this evening, President Vladimir Putin accused Ukrainian forces of striking a student dormitory in the eastern Donetsk region, an attack he said resulted in dozens of casualties. The Russian leader described the incident as a "war crime"
and a "deliberate act of terrorism" against civilians, pledging an immediate and severe response.
The Kremlin claims the dormitory, located in the city of Horlivka which is under Russian control, was hit by a Ukrainian Himars rocket. Kyiv has not confirmed the strike but has consistently denied targeting civilian infrastructure. Independent verification of the incident remains impossible due to restricted access in the conflict zone.
This development comes as international pressure mounts on both sides to de-escalate hostilities and return to diplomatic negotiations. The United Nations and multiple Western governments have expressed alarm, calling for an independent international inquiry. However, with peace talks at a standstill, the prospect of further escalation now looms large.
