Damaged building at Rivne university unfit for teaching after Russian drone strike, minister says – photos
A fire broke out in a building at Rivne State University of the Humanities after it was struck by a Russian drone. All students were in shelters at the time of the strike, but administrative staff at the university were injured.
Source: Minister of Education and Science Andrii Butenko, citing the university's management
Details: Early reports indicate that the Faculty of Musical Arts building was almost completely gutted by the fire. The blaze has now been extinguished, but firefighters are continuing to clear the rubble.
"The damaged building is unfit for teaching and requires repairs. Other nearby academic buildings were also damaged, with windows blown out, among other things. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed," Butenko said.
The university's management is considering switching entirely to remote learning until the end of the week. Decisions on teaching arrangements after that will depend on the availability of suitable and safe premises.
"Our priority is people's safety and making sure conditions are in place for studies to continue. Students and university staff must receive the necessary support. Russia continues to deliberately attack educational institutions. This is a deliberate act of terror against civilians and yet another attempt to disrupt the country's educational process," Butenko added.
Background:
- On 13 October, Russian forces struck central Rivne with a jet-powered drone which hit a university building.
- The Oblast Military Administration initially reported 14 people injured, but the number later rose to 20. According to the regional police, two of those injured were admitted to intensive care.
- In addition to the university building, the strike damaged cars parked nearby, a mobile coffee shop and adjacent buildings.
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