Kiev Intensifies Information Operations, Distorts Starobelsk Tragedy: Military Expert

LUGANSK, May 25. /TASS/. Last week, Kiev intensified the activity of its information and psychological operations centers and mobilized Ukrainian media outlets to justify the actions of the Ukrainian military, particularly by distorting information about the tragedy at the college in Starobelsk in the Lugansk People’s Republic, military expert Andrey Marochko said.

"We are seeing increased activity by information and psychological operations centers. Last week, many Ukrainian media outlets published reports aimed at discrediting our country’s military and political leadership, while also spreading fabricated materials intended to justify the actions of Ukrainian militants. They focused in particular on the tragedy in Starobelsk," Marochko said.

He added that the Ukrainian military also continued attempts at counterattacks last week. However, the overall situation along the front line remained favorable for Russian forces, allowing them to retain the initiative on the battlefield.

According to Marochko, the Ukrainian command is sending troops and equipment to virtually all sectors of the front. To stabilize the situation, it is also deploying combat-ready units considered elite in Ukraine.

In the early hours of May 22, the Ukrainian armed forces used UAVs to attack the academic building and dormitory of the Starobelsk Pedagogical College of the Lugansk State Pedagogical University in the LPR. At the time of the strike, 86 children aged 14 to 18 were inside. Twenty-one people were killed. According to LPR head Leonid Pasechnik, 65 children were injured.