Alexander Bastrykin, the head of Russia’s Investigative Committee, asserted control over the probe into the brutal attack on a schoolgirl in Khimki, a town near Moscow. The official statement came from the committee’s press service, confirming that the investigation conducted at the agency’s central headquarters remains firmly under supervision. Bastrykin directed the head of the Main Investigation Department for the Moscow Region, Alexander Starikov, to provide a detailed briefing on the underlying causes and circumstances that led to the incident.
On February 7, an 11-year-old student in Khimki reportedly attacked a classmate in the school bathroom after an escalating dispute. Witnesses described a tense confrontation that moved from a social argument to a physical clash. During the altercation, the assailant used a kitchen knife brought from home to strike multiple times. Emergency responders arrived quickly, and medical personnel provided initial treatment before transferring the injured student to a hospital by air ambulance. The Moscow Region Ministry of Health described the victim’s condition as critical, necessitating a helicopter transfer to a more equipped facility for advanced care. The incident prompted the initiation of a criminal case for attempted murder of a minor (under Article 105, Part 2, with Part 3 of the Criminal Code) along with charges related to potential negligence by school officials (Article 293). The case underscores the seriousness with which authorities view violent acts inside educational settings and the accountability of adults responsible for student safety. In contexts like this, international observers often seek clarity about how jurisdictions handle rapid, high-stakes investigations and what safeguards are in place to protect children in schools. The evolving narrative also highlights the role of investigators in gathering evidence, assessing risk factors, and communicating progress to the public and oversight bodies (citation: official government summaries and subsequent press briefings).—
Public reporting indicates that the leadership at the Investigative Committee is prioritizing a transparent, methodical review of the events and the operational controls within the school environment leading up to the incident. Analysts note that the case could have significant implications for how similar events are monitored and how school safety protocols are evaluated in the region. In Western readers’ terms, the situation echoes ongoing discussions about safeguarding students, ensuring rapid response by school authorities, and the balance between disciplinary actions and preventive measures. Reports emphasize that investigators will examine timelines, witness statements, security camera footage, and any prior incidents that might inform both accountability and prevention strategies. The authorities have stressed that the inquiry is focused on factual accuracy and legal propriety, with updates provided as findings mature (attribution: internal committee briefings and health service reports).—