Meeting on support measures for the victims and progress in the investigation into the terrorist attack in Starobelsk

The meeting was attended by Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation Alexander Gutsan Gutsan AlexanderProsecutor General , Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova Golikova TatyanaDeputy Prime Minister of the Government of the Russian Federation , Chairman of the Investigative Committee Alexander Bastrykin Bastrykin AlexanderChairman of the Investigative Committee of Russia , Head of the Lugansk People's Republic Leonid Pasechnik Pasechnik LeonidHead of the Lugansk People's Republic , and Head of the Starobelsk Municipal District of the Lugansk People's Republic Vladimir Chernev.

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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, colleagues.

I would like to discuss with you - and this is why I convened this meeting - matters of assistance and support for the relatives of those who died and the people who were impacted by the bloody crime committed by the Ukrainian junta in the city of Starobelsk, Lugansk Region, on May 22.

I would like to hear about how the families are being supported. As is known, 21 students of Starobelsk College were killed and 42 others injured as a result of this crime.

Please report on compensation payments, treatment and rehabilitation of the injured. I am aware that psychologists are working there as well.

I would like to discuss these matters comprehensively, and have the governor and the head of the municipality let me know whether the Government, other agencies, and the republic itself need to take additional steps in order to help and support the victims.

Please, as we always do in such circumstances or during natural disasters, do your best to help every individual and every family affected by this tragedy.

Once again, I would like to express my deepest condolences to the families that have suffered such an irreparable loss, who have lost their children and grandchildren, the most precious asset a family or a person can have. To reiterate, everything possible must be done to support these people.

I am aware that the students of Starobelsk College have been transferred to distance learning. All of them must complete the academic year as planned and complete their assessments. Graduates must obtain their diplomas.

It was no coincidence that I also invited the Prosecutor General and the Chairman of the Investigative Committee. Please provide your assessments of the incident and report on the progress of efforts to identify the perpetrators. All those responsible must be held accountable, and punishment will be inevitable.

Let's get to work.

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