SUTE Dormitory Hit in Late-Night Kyiv Attack
One person died and at least ten were injured when Russian strikes targeted a university building, occurring just before a US-negotiated cease-fire begins.
By Chloe Martin ·
Russian air attacks struck Kyiv late on October 26, killing at least one person and injuring ten others. The strikes hit the State University of Trade and Economics, known as SUTE, which serves more than 15,000 students. Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that most of the injured were students from the dormitory.
The attacks occurred just before a US-negotiated cease-fire is scheduled to start in the eastern city of Oleshky. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy used the incident to argue that Ukraine needs immediate air defense support from international partners. He stated in a social media post that artificial delays in providing these systems help terror.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine requires the proper tools to destroy Russian ballistic missile launchers. He described this capability as the most effective way to save lives. He also noted that Russia’s actions show a desire to kill and continue waging war.
US lawmakers are currently challenging President Donald Trump’s decision to ease restrictions on Russian energy imports. Both Republicans and Democrats have demanded guarantees that Kyiv will retain access to critical American military and intelligence support. They warn that decisions benefiting Moscow could undermine US national security and weaken congressional authority.
This pushback follows the administration’s authorization of transactions involving Russian diesel fuel. Reports also indicated that Ukraine’s access to SpaceX’s Starlink and Starshield satellite communications systems had been restricted. Ukrainian officials said these disruptions affected military operations, though they reported that connection speeds had been restored in recent days. Questions remain about who imposed the original restrictions.
Zelenskyy has called on the US and other allies to step up supplies of critical defense systems like Patriot missiles for several months. He stated last week that Ukraine is still waiting for previously agreed deliveries of interceptors for these systems. Russian officials continue to deny targeting civilian infrastructure in the conflict that began in February 2022.
Source: RFE/RL
