Two-day pursuit ends in assault over Victory Day ribbon
The individual who attacked the 11th grader reportedly tracked him for two days before the incident occurred. The confrontation ended with a gunfire exchange, according to early reports.
Witnesses say a schoolboy from the city of Pavlovo in the Nizhny Novgorod region wore a St. George’s ribbon on a piece of clothing on Victory Day and then continued to move through public streets with the ribbon visible for several days.
On Wednesday, May 10, an aggressive stranger allegedly approached the student and insisted the memorial tape be removed. The eleventh grader managed to escape the initial confrontation and separated from the man, yet they reportedly crossed paths again on May 11.
During the second encounter, the unknown assailant escalated the aggression, knocking the victim to the ground and shouting support for Ukraine and the United States. He then struck the student in the face several times, tore the ribbon from the outer garment, and fled the scene.
The man involved now faces legal proceedings under the article concerning the rehabilitation of Nazism and could receive up to three years in prison. Security services continue to search for the suspect as investigators advance the case.
Earlier reports indicated that Victory Day symbols had been removed from sales in the Auchan retail network, a measure some retailers cited as part of store-wide campaigns around sensitive political symbols.
Analysts note that incidents connected to political symbols vary by region and may unfold amid heightened tensions around national commemorations. Local authorities have called for calm and for the public to report any threats or violence to law enforcement promptly. The case underscores how symbols tied to historical events can become flashpoints in public spaces, prompting discussions about expressions of national memory and personal safety in crowded urban environments. Observers emphasize that peaceful dialogue and lawful actions are essential to maintaining public safety during commemorative periods. The ongoing investigation aims to establish a precise timeline of events and determine whether the attacker acted alone or with accomplices. Updates will be provided by official sources as new information becomes available from the investigation and related court proceedings. [Citation: Regional Law Enforcement Communications]