A violent stabbing attack at a university dormitory in Russia's Bashkortostan Republic has left at least six people injured, including several Indian students and two police officers. The incident occurred on Saturday at the State Medical University in Ufa, approximately 1,200 kilometres east of Moscow, when a 15-year-old teenager armed with a knife entered the student accommodation and began attacking occupants indiscriminately.
Chaotic Scene and Nationalist Slogans
Eyewitnesses described scenes of utter chaos, with one stating "there was blood all around" as the attack unfolded. According to multiple reports, the teenage assailant shouted nationalist slogans during the rampage and drew a Nazi symbol, adding a disturbing ideological dimension to the violence. Ren TV broadcast footage showing injured victims being urgently transported to hospital in ambulance vans, highlighting the severity of the situation.
Police Response and Suspect's Condition
Russia's interior ministry spokesperson, Major General Irina Volk, provided details of the police intervention to the news website RTVI. "The attacker resisted arrest, during which two police officers were stabbed. Furthermore, the suspect also inflicted bodily harm on himself," she explained. The suspect was subsequently admitted to a local children's hospital in what authorities described as a serious condition following his self-inflicted injuries and the confrontation with law enforcement.
Indian Students Among the Injured
The Indian embassy in Moscow confirmed that four Indian students were among those injured in what they termed an "unfortunate incident of attack." At least four people required hospitalisation following the stabbing spree, with one believed to be in a critical state. The embassy stated they were in direct contact with Russian authorities and that consular officials from Kazan were en route to Ufa to provide necessary assistance to the injured students.
Investigation and Neo-Nazi Connections
Authorities in Ufa have launched a high-level probe into the incident, examining all aspects of the attack. According to the local Baza channel, preliminary investigations suggest the teenage suspect belonged to a banned neo-Nazi organisation, which may explain the nationalist slogans and symbols reported during the attack. This connection raises significant concerns about extremist ideologies permeating youth communities in the region.
Broader Context of Indian Students in Russia
The attack highlights the vulnerability of international students studying abroad. According to the Economic Times, more than 30,000 Indian students were estimated to be pursuing education across various Russian universities at the time of the incident. This substantial population underscores the importance of robust safety measures and international cooperation in protecting foreign nationals in educational institutions worldwide.
The stabbing spree at the Ufa medical university dormitory represents not only a tragic act of violence but also a concerning manifestation of extremist ideologies targeting educational environments. As investigations continue, questions remain about campus security protocols and the broader societal factors contributing to such attacks in academic settings.
