Ukraine Strikes College in Russian-Occupied Town, Killing 18; Putin Orders Military Response

Russia claimed 18 people were killed in a strike on a student dormitory, blaming Ukraine for the attack. The strike occurred in a Russian-occupied town, though the specific location was not named in the reports. Ukrainian officials confirmed the strike but did not provide details on the target or casualties. Russia’s state media reported the attack as a deliberate strike by Ukraine, while Ukrainian sources did not immediately comment on the specifics of the operation. President Vladimir Putin ordered the Army to prepare a response, signaling a potential escalation of hostilities. The incident has drawn international attention, with multiple news outlets reporting the event within hours of its occurrence.