Russian Teen Opens Fire at Ufa Secondary School Following Chilling Social Media Warning
A male teenage pupil has opened fire inside a secondary school in the Russian city of Ufa, wounding a teacher in the eye after posting ominous messages on social media the day before the attack. The incident occurred at Gymnasium No. 16 in Eastern Russia, where emergency services, police, and national guard officers rushed to the scene following reports of gunfire.
Attack Details and Immediate Aftermath
The ninth-grade student, identified by Russian media as Vadim from class 9G, arrived at the school armed with what authorities later described as an airsoft or "traumatic" weapon. He fired several shots at a teacher and classmates, with eyewitnesses reporting that a male history teacher named Timur S was struck in the eye, possibly by a ricochet. However, regional officials have stated that no one suffered life-threatening injuries.
Students initially mistook the gunfire for a planned emergency fire drill scheduled to take place in schools across Ufa on the same day. One pupil described how their teacher locked the classroom door and ordered students to barricade themselves inside when noise erupted in the corridor. "We barricaded the door," said the student. "Suddenly, we heard explosions of firecrackers, one of which was right outside our door. We've never experienced anything like this before. It was very scary when we found out it wasn't a fire drill."
Social Media Warnings and Investigation
Investigators revealed that the suspect had posted photos of a weapon and chilling messages on social media the day before the attack, including a line reading: "My last trip to school." He also reportedly uploaded recordings of the attack itself. Telegram channels linked to the case indicate the boy ran his own channel where he complained about pressure from teachers and feeling misunderstood, writing that he had "no choice but to do something bad."
The teenager was detained without resistance at the scene. While initial reports claimed he used a traumatic pistol firing rubber bullets, later statements from officials clarified the weapon was an airsoft gun firing plastic pellets. Conflicting accounts mention either a Crosman AK1 air rifle or a pneumatic Kalashnikov AK-47 assault rifle. The Bashkortostan Interior Ministry confirmed the pupil fired several shots and set off a firecracker inside the school.
Conflicting Reports and Official Statements
Despite officials insisting "there were no casualties," multiple eyewitnesses and independent outlets report at least one teacher was injured, with specific mentions of an eye wound. Authorities say the boy's motives are under investigation. Ufa Mayor Ratmir Mavliev suggested that ninth graders aged 15 and 16 had "bullied" the alleged gunman. "Ninth graders bullied the boy. He came in with an air rifle and opened fire. No one was hurt," said the mayor.
Broader Context of School Violence in Russia
The Ufa attack represents the latest in a series of school incidents in Russia over the past year, many involving teenagers who announce their plans online in advance. Since 2024, Russia has witnessed multiple attacks or attempted attacks in schools, including stabbings and shootings, despite the country's strict gun laws.
Experts note that many perpetrators appear inspired by earlier school massacres, combining grievances against teachers or classmates with online radicalisation and copycat behaviour. This pattern highlights ongoing concerns about youth violence and the role of social media in facilitating such incidents within the Russian education system.
