Four Indian students injured in knife attack at Russian university dormitory

At least six people, including four Indian students, were injured on Saturday in a stabbing attack at a university dormitory in Ufa, the capital of Russia’s Bashkortostan Republic, media reports and the Indian mission in Moscow confirmed. The incident occurred at the foreign students’ hostel of the State Medical University, where many international students reside.

According to preliminary reports, a 15-year-old teenager armed with a knife entered the dormitory and began attacking students. Authorities have not officially confirmed a motive , stating the reason behind the attack remains under investigation. Local media and Telegram channels reported that the assailant may have been affiliated with a banned neo-Nazi organization and allegedly shouted nationalist slogans during the assault. Images circulated on social media reportedly showed a swastika drawn on a wall with victims’ blood , though these claims have not been officially verified by investigators.

Interior Ministry spokesperson Major General Irina Volk said the attacker resisted arrest, during which two police officers were also stabbed , before being detained. The suspect reportedly inflicted injuries on himself and has been admitted to a local children’s hospital in serious condition.

The Indian Embassy in Moscow described the episode as an “unfortunate incident,” confirming that four Indian students were among those injured. Embassy officials said they are in contact with Russian authorities, and representatives from the Consulate in Kazan are travelling to Ufa to assist the injured and coordinate support for affected students.

The Russian Federal Health Ministry reported that four victims are receiving medical care, with one in serious condition and three in moderate condition. Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic and chaos inside the dormitory, with one media outlet quoting witnesses as saying “there was blood all around,” and footage showed ambulances rushing the wounded to hospitals.

Authorities have launched a high-level investigation into the incident, exploring possible motives and whether the attacker had prior connections to the victims or extremist groups. The investigation reflects concern over the safety of foreign student communities in the region.

Russia hosts a significant number of Indian students pursuing higher education, particularly in medicine, engineering, and science disciplines. Estimates suggest that around 30,000–31,000 Indian students currently live in Russia for educational purposes, many of whom reside in university hostels like the one targeted in Ufa.

Ufa, located about 1,200 kilometres east of Moscow, is a major centre for international students. The attack has raised wider concerns about campus safety and the potential influence of extremist ideologies among youth in the country.