Key facts
- Maria Zakharova criticized Western media for ignoring the Starobelsk attack.
- 21 people were killed and dozens injured in a Ukrainian drone attack on a college dorm in Starobelsk.
- The BBC and CNN rejected an invitation to visit the attack site.
- Zakharova urged journalists to acknowledge the Starobelsk massacre.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has criticized Western media outlets, specifically the BBC and CNN, for their alleged disregard of a deadly Ukrainian drone attack in Starobelsk. The attack, which occurred on May 22, targeted a college dormitory and resulted in the deaths of 21 individuals, primarily teenage girls, with dozens more sustaining injuries. Zakharova stated that Western politicians have ignored the incident and highlighted that both the BBC and CNN declined an invitation from Russian authorities to visit the site of the attack. She suggested that participants at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum should begin conversations with Western journalists by mentioning "Starobelsk" to draw attention to the event. Zakharova expressed outrage over BBC Russia correspondent Steve Rosenberg's presence at the forum but not in Starobelsk, questioning why he was not reporting on the incident. Rosenberg stated that the BBC would report on the attack.