ISLAMABAD: Russian Ambassador to Pakistan Albert P. Khorev on Tuesday accused Ukrainian forces of escalating attacks on civilian targets, warning that recent developments have “pushed the conflict into a new phase” and prompted a calibrated military response from Moscow.
“This incident represents a red line,” the envoy told an emergency briefing at the Russian Embassy here, referring to a drone strike on a student hostel and educational facility in Starobelsk.
He said the strike targeted a pedagogical university complex in the northeastern part of the so-called Luhansk People’s Republic, where 86 students were reportedly present at the time.
According to him, 21 students were killed and more than 60 injured, calling the incident a serious breach of international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Ambassador Khorev said the attack prompted Russia to intensify operations against Ukraine’s military-industrial infrastructure, including facilities linked to drone production.
He cited a May 25 statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry announcing systematic strikes on such sites, which Moscow claims are used by Ukrainian forces with NATO support.
He added that Russian forces responded with large-scale strikes using missile systems including Oreshnik, Iskander, Kinzhal and Zircon, followed by additional precision attacks on June 2 targeting military-industrial facilities, fuel depots, and transport networks in Kiev, Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions.
The ambassador criticised Western governments for what he called selective attention to civilian casualties, alleging that they have largely ignored the Starobelsk incident while condemning Russian retaliatory actions.
He argued that continued military assistance to Kiev is deepening the conflict and undermining prospects for negotiations.
Ambassador Khorev also accused international organisations of maintaining a “double standard” in assessing civilian harm and infrastructure damage. He said Russia had facilitated a visit for 51 foreign journalists from 20 countries, including Pakistan, to Starobelsk to observe the aftermath of the incident.
He further alleged that Ukrainian forces had targeted residential areas and critical infrastructure in Enerhodar, including the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, warning that such actions could endanger nuclear safety. He urged the International Atomic Energy Agency to conduct an objective assessment.
Additional claims included a drone strike in Henichesk that reportedly killed a five-year-old child, shelling in Yenakiieve causing civilian casualties, and attempted disruption of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum through drone attacks near residential zones.
Reiterating Moscow’s position, Ambassador Khorev said Russia aims to minimize civilian harm while responding to security threats. He added that Moscow had advised foreign nationals, including diplomats and international organisations, to consider leaving Kyiv, with relevant warnings already shared through diplomatic channels.
The envoy also praised Pakistan’s approach to the conflict, describing Islamabad’s stand as “balanced and constructive” and welcoming what he termed a neutral and responsible position.
The briefing concluded with an exhibition dedicated to victims of the Starobelsk incident.
