{
  "id": 4850360,
  "title": "Bomb Threats Force Evacuations at Russian Schools",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/bomb-threats-force-evacuations-at-russian-schools",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-01T11:31:30.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Moscow Times",
    "slug": "the-moscow-times",
    "url": "https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/09/01/bomb-threats-force-evacuations-at-russian-schools-a93615"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A series of false bomb threats forced mass evacuations at educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and cultural sites in at least nine regions of Russia on Tuesday. Leningrad Governor Alexander Drozdenko reported that \"a dozen\" schools, kindergartens, and hospitals experienced bomb scares. The incidents occurred during the Day of Knowledge celebrations, which signal the beginning of the new academic year on September 1. Drozdenko cautioned that such threats undermine the holiday spirit for both children and adults. Both St. Petersburg and Leningrad police announced that over 100 institutions had received false bomb warnings. In Moscow, at least four museums, including the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts, evacuated visitors or temporarily closed due to \"technical reasons.\" A government building in the Far Eastern Zabaikalsky region and numerous hospitals in Tatarstan were also evacuated as precautionary measures. Bomb threats targeting Russian cities have been a recurring issue in recent years, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. The Kremlin has labeled these incidents as \"telephone terrorism\" and acknowledged them as a persistent challenge for the nation. The Prosecutor General's Office has declared The Moscow Times an \"undesirable\" organization, effectively silencing its operations and exposing journalists to potential prosecution. The newspaper has vehemently rejected these accusations, emphasizing its commitment to delivering impartial and accurate reporting. In response to these threats, The Moscow Times is reaching out for financial support to continue its vital work. Donations, regardless of size, are crucial in sustaining independent journalism in the face of increasing repression.",
  "summary": "The hoaxes came amid Day of Knowledge celebrations that mark the start of the new school year every Sept. 1.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}