Teenager detained after attempting school arson (VIDEO)

A teenager was detained in Kursk, western Russia, on Friday morning after attempting to set fire to a local school, Interior Ministry spokeswoman Irina Volk said in a statement on her Telegram channel.

The incident occurred at School No. 54 early in the morning. The student broke the glass on the entrance door with a hammer and used a flammable liquid in an attempt to start a fire on the first floor. The suspect, who also reportedly carried two knives, fled the scene shortly after. However, his actions were caught on security cameras, and local authorities identified and detained him within an hour. No injuries were reported. The damage to school property appeared limited to the broken door glass, Volk noted.

Media reports identified the teenager as Ilya K., a 16-year-old student at School No. 40, who had previously attended School No. 54, the target of the attack. Some reports claimed he may have been motivated by a spat with an unnamed girlfriend who still attends the school.

However, the SHOT and BAZA Telegram channels suggested another motive, claiming the attack may have been linked to the teen’s involvement with a radical group. Before the incident, the attacker had reportedly posted on his VK social media page, referencing an organization associated with promoting mass murder and suicidal games among teenagers. The post allegedly included a photo of the boy holding a rifle with his face covered by a kerchief.

Also prior to the attack, the boy reportedly published a “manifesto” in a school chat, dubbed ‘Total death to biowaste’. The text detailed his “plan for the day,” which included “beating up” his girlfriend and “starting a slaughter” at the school. The teen also reportedly praised terrorists and school shooters, and wrote that he did not regret his actions.

Authorities are working with the teen’s family and the administrations of both schools to understand the motives behind the attack, according to reports. The performance of the private security company responsible for guarding the building is also under review.

Friday’s incident follows other cases believed to be tied to online communities promoting violence and self-harm among teenagers. In September last year, a 13-year-old student armed with a hammer, knife, and allegedly a gun, attacked three classmates and a teacher at a school in Chelyabinsk, central Russia, before attempting suicide. Media reports at the time suggested the boy may have been executing the orders of the curator of a suicide game distributed via messaging apps.