Russian schools and kindergartens hold ‘antiterrorism’ drills, forcing children to lie face down on the floor as weapons are pointed at them
Schools and kindergartens across Russia are holding antiterrorism drills on August 18–19, and kindergartens in several regions have begun posting photo reports of the exercises, according to the outlets Post- and Novaya Gazeta Europe.
Across Russia, schools and kindergartens are conducting anti-terrorism drills this week from August 18–19. Photo reports from kindergartens in various regions have surfaced, showing children participating in the exercises. Some students hide in utility rooms, while others lie face down alongside their teachers, with weapons pointed at them, as per outlets Post and Novaya Gazeta Europe.
A stun grenade detonated during the drills at a school in Serkovo, a village in the Moscow region, injuring four teachers. According to Russian Telegram channels 112, Mash, and Baza, which have connections to security services, the incident occurred. Deputy Education Minister Alexander Bugaev announced the drills a week prior, stating they would assess teachers, administrators, and security guards' reactions to hostage-taking, arson, or drone attacks in schools and kindergartens.
However, Bugaev did not mention the involvement of children. This marks the first time such drills are held in kindergartens, though Novaya Gazeta Europe reported that similar exercises took place in 2025. Meduza, an English-language news outlet, ensures transparency by disclosing its use of AI in the newsroom. The article was authored by a human journalist and translated from Russian using an AI model calibrated to adhere to Meduza's editorial standards.
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