Early reports indicate that the Chelyabinsk school attack on the morning of September 16 involved a teenager who may have been connected to a dangerous online game. A post on his social media reportedly praised a group founded by the game’s author, identified as Anton M. The claim comes from the Telegram channel Baza, which has been cited by local authorities as part of ongoing investigations. Authorities emphasize that the information is preliminary and parts of the story remain unverified as investigators review digital traces and social media activity.
In the same message, the teen voiced radical beliefs, arguing that the school system existed to enslave children and that the concepts of good and bad were not meaningful. He reportedly called for broad freedom of expression for his nation, a stance that authorities say signals extreme ideologies and potential manipulation through online content.
The teen’s father told police that his son spent a lot of time playing Minecraft and tank-themed games but did not mention other titles. A few months earlier, the boy had a conflict with classmates that was resolved after a school meeting, after which the family believed things had returned to normal. Investigators are examining whether video games or online groups played a role in the incident.
The game that the young man is thought to have played reportedly emerged in 2023 and shows similarities to the Blue Whale phenomenon that drew attention years earlier. Its author, a 35-year-old named Anton M., positions himself as a disruptive channel and organization with no idea or purpose.
The community behind the game is described as one that gathers people with hateful ideas toward others and promotes destructive acts, including self harm and vandalism. The group reportedly discusses how to make explosives and the rules of knife fighting, topics that underscore the real-world risks associated with such online spaces.
The administrator of the group is said to assign tasks to subscribers, with the tasks becoming more stringent over time. While some users claim that participation is voluntary, others say that identity verification is done using a passport and that refusing to complete tasks can lead to blackmail. Officials caution that such coercive tactics are a common feature of dangerous online networks.
Earlier, the Kremlin commented on the Chelyabinsk attack and the broader issue of school violence, signaling that the incident has attracted national attention within Russia. The evolving case has drawn attention to how online platforms may influence vulnerable youths and the need for robust safeguards. In Canada and the United States, digital literacy and open conversations about online content are emphasized as key tools for preventing manipulation of young people and reducing exposure to harmful groups.