What Russians are Saying About the Tragedy in the US*

"I am willing to come to the United States at my own expense to serve as a nurse. I have a medical degree as a doctor, and speak English. I am willing to go to any American hospital to perform any kind of service to alleviate the sufferings of the victims of terrorist attack."

Pavel Mikhailenko, PEP Graduate, St. Petersburg

"We share your pain and mourn for everything that happened with your people. We love you greatly and wish you courage and patience. My family is with you in this grief."

Galina Kuzovkova, Ekaterinburg

"On September 11 our hearts were squeezed by terrible tragedy with American people. Terrorist attacks on New York and Washington have shocked and outraged us by massive and senseless cruelty of these crimes. The terror attacks were done not only against the Americans, but against all of the civilized world too.

Many and many Russians feel strong pain of compassion for the dead and the missing and for those who loved them. We, the members of the Ekaterinburg branch of the Russian Leaders Institute, offer the deepest sympathy to the American people, to our friends and fellows. You have to know that you are not alone.

We hope the culprits will be found and punished. We believe that the people of good will are able to rid the world of this terrible evil. With love to you and to the whole American people.

Russian entrepreneurs from Ekaterinburg

"We are all very shocked here by what has happened. We think it is the most abhorrent and disgusting, most repulsive way of terrorism the mankind has ever faced with. No human being is supposed to do this under any conditions. We are really shocked by this tragedy. We deeply regret about this terrible day that came in our lives all of a sudden. We want to let you know that we are always with you and ready to help in any situation. We deeply regret about this and this day will become a lesson for us all. It is shocking and terrible. We intently watch the CNN news here and we want you to know that our hearts and souls are always with you, every minute, suffering from the terrible pain and fear. This is a black day, for you, for us, for the whole world. We need to unite our forces to overcome this terrible tragedy."

Center for Citizen Initiatives, Ekaterinburg

"We are very sorry about the tragedy that happened in New York and other parts of the US. Our mind is upset with the number of people have become the victims of the terrorists. We don't know the number yet and even don't know whether it will grow or not. We pray to God for stopping the tragedy and hope that you will stay safe there in San Francisco. We pray to God for the safety of your friends and relatives in the damaged cities.

We hope that our governments join the efforts in finding the terrorists and preventing the future acts. Please believe our hearts are with you and your country today. Just let us know what we can do for you.

Sorry, we can't find words to express what we feel at the moment."

Russian-American Business School, Rostov-on-Don

"My family and me send to you, your relatives and other Americans our deep condolences. Terrorist attacks in New York and Washington D.C. are horrible. This is not only an American matter. This affair is connected with all of us."

Slava Pelevin, PEP graduate, St. Petersburg

"It's difficult to make any comments... It's a shock... We express regret at tragedy after terrorist attack. We feel pain in your souls and we regret. We are together with you!" Peter Proidakov and Natalia Danilova, PEP graduate, Taganrog

"I woke up to a shock of the news about those senseless and cruel murders! They are all murderers, those terrorists! And they should be tried and convicted like such! Civilians should never be hostages and victims of some crazies who all of a sudden decided to avenge themselves on the state in a peaceful time! You have all the support from me, from us you may need this hour.

Dear friends, my colleagues, my friends Rotarians, all people of goodwill in Vladivostok are thinking about you at the moment. We and the warmth of our hearts, and our prayers go to you now. We are sure that you will overcome the first shock of this assault, and life will resume again. We thank God that you and all the Russians who are our dears and nears and who are in the US at the moment are safe and sound! Terrorists and the rule of terror no passaran (they won't come)!"

Evgenia Terekhova, Vladivostok

"On behalf of all the employees of Republican Center for Assistance to Foreign Economic Activity and myself please accept our expression of deepest sympathy and regret to you and your colleagues at the news of a terrible event has occurred in the USA."

Natalia Konysheva, Udmurtiya

"On behalf of the colleagues of the Ministry of International Relations of the Udmurtiya Republic and myself please accept the expression of our deepest sympathies for the act of terrorism that has occurred in the United States of America. We are stunned and in shock. We mourn with you. The vengeance to the terrorists is inevitable."

V. A. Vikulov, Minister of International Relations of the Udmurtiya Republic

"I am so sorry about the tragedy... I hope that you, your friends, your families are safe... What a pain for all human world! What a pain for you! Our hearts are with you and your country, we all grieve with you..."

Natasha Scribunova and all my family, Moscow

"We are very, very sorry about what happened in America. It is so horrible! It is beyondour understanding. We just hope that our governments heard that last warning and realized that all civilized people have just one enemy terrorism and it will never and nowhere happen again. We all send our condolences to you and your country and we all are with you in our mind now."

Russian Initiative for Self-Employment Staff, St. Petersburg

"We cannot find the right words to express our feelings after the outrageous and unprecedented terrorist attack on the US yesterday. It was a real shock to all the people inhabiting our planet Earth, which appeared to be a very fragile place to live on. These acts of insane atrocity have proven that people all over the world are vulnerable, and they need to unite to be able to oppose the unscrupulous terrorists!

Still, America has always been a strong, powerful democratic country. We are sure, this crime against humanity and world democracy won't be left unpunished, and the democratic spirit will never be destroyed but get stronger faced with this challenge. You are in our thoughts and prayers! We grieve and mourn with you! Please, accept our deepest condolences and sympathies."

Center for Citizen Initiatives, Voronezh

"Take our sorrow for your woe. It is a grief for all us. God help you!"

Melnikov Family, Rostov-on-Don

"It is too difficult for us to choose the right words to express our feelings concerning the tragedy that happened to your country. We were shocked to hear such bad news, it was even difficult to imagine what happened in the reality. We regret this terrible day that came to your lives. Our PEP graduates come to our office or call us to express their feelings and support you and us.

Our country recently has faced such tragedies more than once and we know how difficult it is for you and for your country. And we are sure that all Russian people's hearts are with you now. It always hurts when innocent people die because of terrorist activities.

We are sure that you have enough power to overcome this tragedy and prove yourself to the whole world once again that the USA is a country of strong people. We send our condolences and sorrow for this accident. Remember that we are with you and ready to help. We shall be happy to keep working with you to make our planet a safer world." Center for Citizen Initiatives, Volgograd

"We were shocked by the terrorist acts in New York and Washington. Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror. We all grieve. We live in the Caucuses and we know what terrorism means. Chechnya, where terrorists kill Russian people every day, is situated near us. Terrorism is the most dangerous thing for the civilization of people. God bless you." Yelena Kornienko, PEP graduate, Krasnodar

"We send our condolences to you in connection with horrifying terrorist acts in the USA. We well understand your feelings, as the similar acts were conducted in Russia by the Chechen terrorists last year. We are sure, that US and Russia, together with other countries, will conquer of terrorism. Our souls and hearts are with you." Alexander Goudovitchev and Yury Morozov, PEP graduates, Novouralsk, Russia.

"We all at SOM are shocked by the terrorist attack on the United States. We hope that neither you nor your relatives or friends has suffered from this wild actions of international terrorists. We would like to express our condolences to all American people. We are with you in this dramatic period of the US and world's history."

Valery Katkalo, St. Petersburg School of Management

"We are very much shaken by theterrible tragedy, happened in your country and we suffer from this pain together with American people. We speak on behalf of private doctors in Russia."

Alexey Kamenev, President of the First Russian Association of Private Practice Doctors, Samara

"First of all let me express my deepest sorrow for the terrible adversity your nation has just encountered. Please know that we, the Russian people, are now mourning together with you. I do hope that all your family and dear ones have been spared in the attacks. Let me know if you have any specific needs I can pray for." Nadya Senchakova

"We have heard of your terrible loss and hasten to offer you and all people of USA our deepest sympathies. At such a time it seems vain to try and express one's feelings of intense regrets; they are too overwhelming. Believe us, all of us are deeply saddened. Olga Ponomareva, PEP graduate, St. Petersburg

"I have the deepest concern for what happened a few days ago. I am deeply shocked and think this is inhumane. I want you to know and remember that I am always ready to help you in any situation. My heart and soul are with you every minute of life." Alexander Kalinin, PEP graduate, Chelyabinsk

"I'm in shock. I'm so sorry for the deaths of so many absolutely innocent American people. I'm so sorry, that there are some real savages and predators in the world and they are existing nearby. It's a pity that they appeared to be human. They are more dangerous than those in a forest. I'm mourning for that terrible, unprecedented and unbelievable incident. In this hard period for the American people, as all progressive humanity, I'm with you and I entirely share your grief.

Firudin Abdullaev, EDP graduate, Volgograd

"First of all I express my sincere and deep condolences to you and your compatriots. We are shocked by this tragedy, like you and the whole world, but I hope that you and your family are okay. The trial that our country survived last year has now been unleashed on your country. America shouldn't alienate Russia. Our countries don't have any other choice and we must join our forces to resist the terror. This is the subject we discussed during our last meeting in Kazan. My family and I feel your pain. I want You to know, that you can always rely on me and I will try to do all possible to help you.

When this tragedy happened to your country, I've was at the shore of the Black Sea on business and I only returned today. When I saw that horrid chronicle, I couldn't stop my tears. I feel your pain. I'm ready to welcome you and help you to survive this hard period. I keep in my memory your last visit in Kazan and I hope to see you there again. We offer prayers for you and hope that all this dismay will finish soon."

Vladimir Perepechenov, PEP graduate, Kazan

"I felt regret to hear the news about the terrorist attacks in your country. I really sympathize with you and I do hope that you will overcome all the difficulties. The staff of my school asks you to send this letter to the State Secretary Colin Powell, to the American Government and to those people, whom this letter can help (maybe some American schools and hospitals).

We, the students, teachers and parents of the New School in Ekaterinburg, Russia, address to all American people. Yesterday evening we heard terrible news about terrorist attacks in New York and Washington. We were shocked to see the pictures of tragedy shown by CNN. We couldn't believe and couldn't understand how this could have happened, who and why could have done it. We really feel regret and sympathy for all American people and especially for those who suffered in this tragedy.

A year ago terrorist attacks shook Moscow and other cities of Russia. Russia has overcome a lot of wars, we lost many people in them and we teach our children to remember about it. Our school knows a lot about America and American people. The principal of our school Elena Shtukina visited America several times. She was a participant of some Training programs financed by American Government. During the last 2 years 10 professional consultants worked in our school. They came to share their teaching and management experience, to tell us about educational system, history and culture of your country, to get acquainted with Russian people. We became good friends and we appreciate it very much. The events which happened in your country are very tragic not only for you. It's our common tragedy. We want the world to unite for struggle against terrorism. Our school, our parents, teachers and students grieve with you. We want you to remember and feel that you are not alone. We want you to feel the warmth of our souls and hearts, our kind thoughts and energy which we hope will help you to overcome all the difficulties. We are ready to help and support you in these tragic days. If we can help you, we'll be ready to do it."

Elena Shtukina, PEP graduate, Principal of the New School in Ekaterinburg

"We share your pain and mourn for everything that happened with your people. We love you greatly and wish you courage and patience. My family is with you in this grief."

Galina Kuzovkova, PEP graduate, Ekaterinburg

"We express to you our deep regret about the tragedy of American people and hope that you won't loose self-control. We are with you. We hope that this awful event won't lead to the beginning of the Third World War. We need to unite to prevent this happening in future.

Valentina Makova, Chelyabinsk

"We are in great sorrow about the tragedy in America. Let us know if we can help you in this disaster. We are with you in our thoughts and prayers. God bless you."

Slava, Ludmila, Alex, Sergei, Novokubyashevsk

*Many other prominent Russians and Russian governmental officials have spoken up and conveyed condolences to the American people regarding this horrible tragedy. These comments were sent directly to the Center for Citizen Initiatives and are illustrative of the reaction of ordinary Russian citizens. Also, this is only a portion of the messages CCI received. Photos are taken from recent press reports. We apologize that we do not have the photo credits available.