'Russia tried to kill us': survivors expose truth behind Sudzha airstrike

On the evening of Saturday, February 1, Russian troops struck a boarding school in Sudzha, completely destroying the building and killing at least four people, with many others wounded. At the time of the attack, around a hundred civilians were inside when a bomb, dropped from a Russian aircraft, tore through the structure. As Ukrainian soldiers rushed to evacuate survivors, Russian forces launched a second airstrike, seemingly intent on eliminating any remaining witnesses.

Despite clear evidence of Russia’s actions, Kremlin-controlled propaganda outlets quickly moved to spread disinformation, falsely accusing Ukraine of the attack. However, survivors and eyewitnesses are determined to expose the truth. TRO Media published video footage revealing firsthand testimonies, in which rescued civilians confirmed that the strike came from a Russian plane. One survivor, speaking to a relative over the phone, made it clear: “It was a Russian aircraft.” Another, who barely made it out alive, expressed deep gratitude to Ukrainian soldiers who risked their own lives to save them: “I want to thank the soldiers… They carried out the evacuation, lifting bedridden elderly women in their arms.”

Many of those who remained in Sudzha were left to die—not as accidental casualties, but as deliberate targets of Russian forces. Moscow sees them as disposable, using them either as propaganda tools or as mere collateral in its brutal campaign. This time, however, Russia’s plan failed, thanks to the rapid response of Ukrainian medics, military personnel, and journalists determined to document the reality on the ground. “When I return to Russia, I will only tell the truth,” one survivor vowed.

In response to the crisis, Ukraine has declared its readiness to facilitate the evacuation of Russian civilians trapped in war-affected areas of the Kursk region now under Ukrainian control. According to a report by Le Monde, Ukrainian officials confirmed they could establish a humanitarian corridor for over 1,500 Russian civilians—provided Moscow formally requests assistance.

For now, however, those left behind in Sudzha remain in grave danger, as Russia continues its ruthless campaign—targeting not only military objectives but also innocent civilians, including its own citizens.