On May 22, 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned a Ukrainian attack on a college dormitory in Starobelsk, which resulted in the deaths of six individuals, with 39 others injured and 15 missing. Putin declared that the attack was deliberate, occurring in three waves involving 16 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) targeting the dormitory, which had no military facilities nearby. He instructed the Russian defense ministry to prepare a response and to inform international organizations about the incident, labeling it a terrorist act by the Ukrainian regime. Putin criticized Ukraine's government for using such attacks to divert attention from their failures on the battlefield and urged Ukrainian soldiers to refuse orders from their leadership, which he described as corrupt and illegitimate. He also expressed confidence in the Russian Armed Forces' ongoing operations in the Zaporozhye region, asserting that they are making significant daily advances. Additionally, Putin highlighted the importance of veterans from the special military operation in shaping Russia's future governance, stating they should lead the country through its trials.