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"The United Nations on Friday warned of 'lifelong impacts' on civilians in conflict zones after a reported Ukrainian drone strike on a college in Starobelsk killed at least six people, injured dozens, and left others trapped under rubble. "The reported incident in Starobelsk is a stark reminder of a broader and deeply troubling pattern. Attacks on schools continue to disrupt the education of millions of boys and girls in conflict-affected regions worldwide," remarked Vanessa Frazier, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, during an emergency meeting of the Security Council in New York City. "Children lose not only their classrooms but also their sense of safety, stability, their routine and their hope and dreams of their future. This has devastating and lifelong impacts," she continued. Other officials echoed the concern, condemning the 'staggering' civilian toll and denouncing strikes on civilian infrastructure as violations of international law. "What we do know is that the human cost of this war reveals a pattern that defies international humanitarian law. Civilians must be protected," expressed Edem Wosornu, Director of Crisis Response Division at the Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Ted Chaiban, Deputy Executive Director, Humanitarian Action and Supply Operations for UNICEF, underlined, "This is yet another example of children paying the price for a war that is not of their own making [...] UNICEF reiterates the urgency for all parties to uphold international humanitarian law and ensure civilians, including children, are protected from attack." The remarks follow a reported large‑scale Ukrainian strike on Starobelsk Vocational College in the Lugansk People's Republic on Friday, which killed at least six people, injured many more, and left several feared trapped under the rubble. Russia's Investigative Committee has opened a 'terrorism' case under Part 3, Article 205 of the Russian Criminal Code, saying investigators are on site interviewing witnesses, collecting evidence, and ordering forensic examinations. Ukraine has repeatedly denied targeting civilians, and its UN ambassador Andriy Melnyk on Friday dismissed Russia's allegations as a 'pure propaganda show'."
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