A 10-year-old boy has been killed in a violent knife and pepper spray attack at a school in Russia, with a fellow pupil arrested at the scene. The incident on Tuesday 16 December 2025 is the second such school-based tragedy to shock the country within a single week.
Chaos and Violence at Uspenskaya School
The attack unfolded around 9am at the Uspenskaya Comprehensive School in the village of Gorki-2, located in the Moscow region. Authorities state that a 15-year-old male student embarked on a rampage, armed with a knife and pepper spray.
The suspect first assaulted a school security guard, using pepper spray before stabbing him. He then moved through the school corridors, reportedly searching for further victims. The assailant subsequently attacked a 10-year-old boy, stabbing the child multiple times. Despite emergency efforts to save him, the young victim later succumbed to his wounds.
Mass Evacuation and Arrest
The attack triggered panic, with dozens of children fleeing the building. Some found shelter in a nearby sports complex, while others barricaded themselves inside classrooms with teachers. Distraught parents reportedly attempted to pull their children to safety through windows.
Armed police and special forces units rushed to the scene. They swiftly detained the suspect, who has since admitted responsibility under questioning. Bomb disposal teams were also deployed after an apparent improvised explosive device was allegedly found among the teenage suspect's belongings, according to reports on the SHOT Telegram channel.
Investigation into Motive and a Pattern of Violence
Russia's Investigative Committee has opened a criminal case for murder and attempted murder. While a clear motive remains unconfirmed, emergency services told the TASS news agency the suspect is believed to be a follower of a 'destructive youth movement'.
Local media outlets reported the arrested teenager was wearing a T-shirt bearing the slogan 'No Lives Matter'. The suspect now faces up to 10 years in prison.
This fatal incident occurred just one day after another school stabbing in Russia. In the Krasnogvardeisky district of St. Petersburg, a student attacked a teacher for allegedly failing them on a test, according to the interior ministry. The back-to-back attacks have raised urgent questions about youth violence and safety in Russian educational institutions.
