2026 Kyiv school stabbing
| Kyiv school stabbing | |
|---|---|
| Location | Kyiv, Ukraine |
| Date | 12 January 2026 (Eastern European Time) |
| Target | Students and staff |
Attack type | School stabbing |
| Weapons | Knife |
| Deaths | 0 |
| Injured | 3 (including the perpetrator) |
| Perpetrator | Nikita Solovyov |
| Motive | Under investigation |
The Kyiv school stabbing was a violent incident that occurred on 12 January 2026 at a secondary school in the Obolonskyi District of Kyiv, Ukraine. A 14-year-old student named Nikita Solovyov[1] attacked a teacher and a fellow student with a knife during class, injuring both before harming himself.[2]
The teacher sustained serious injuries and was hospitalized, while the injured student received medical treatment for multiple wounds. The attacker reportedly barricaded himself in a restroom following the assault and inflicted self-inflicted injuries before being detained by authorities.[3]
Ukrainian law enforcement opened a criminal investigation into the attack. Officials stated that the suspect had prepared for the assault in advance, and investigators are examining possible external influence, including online communications found on the suspect's phone. No definitive motive has been confirmed as of January 2026.[4]
Stabbing
The attack occurred on 12 January 2026 during a lesson at a secondary school in the Obolonskyi District of Kyiv. According to police, a 14-year-old boy named Nikita Solovyov entered the classroom wearing a mask and helmet and attacked teacher Svitlana Oliynyk and fellow student Mykhaylo Symchuk with a knife.[2]
The teacher sustained serious stab wounds and was hospitalized in critical condition, while the injured student received treatment for multiple non-fatal injuries. Following the assault, the attacker fled the classroom, barricaded himself in a school restroom, and inflicted stab wounds on himself before being detained by law enforcement officers. Emergency medical services transported all three individuals to hospital.[3]
Perpetrator
The perpetrator was identified as Nikita Solovyov, a 14-year-old ninth-grade student at the school. Ukrainian authorities stated that he had no prior criminal record. Investigators reported that Nikita appeared to have prepared for the attack in advance, bringing a knife to school and concealing his identity with protective headgear.[4]
Law enforcement officials examined his electronic devices and online communications as part of the investigation. Authorities stated that potential external influence was being considered, though no confirmed motive or organizational involvement had been publicly established as of January 2026. Due to his age, Ukrainian law restricts the disclosure of personal details.[5]
Trial
On 14 January 2026, a Kyiv district court ordered Nikita to be placed in pre-trial detention for 60 days without the possibility of bail. Due to injuries sustained during the incident, he was initially held under medical supervision before potential transfer to a juvenile detention facility.[6]
Court proceedings were conducted behind closed doors in accordance with Ukrainian law governing cases involving minors. Prosecutors indicated that Nikita could face charges related to attempted murder and grievous bodily harm, subject to juvenile sentencing provisions. As of January 2026, the case remained under investigation and no verdict had been issued.
References
- ^ "Media: Attack in Kyiv school committed by the son of a National Police employee". antikor.info. Retrieved 2026-02-12.
- ^ a b "Knife attack in Kyiv school: two students and teacher hospitalized". Ukranews. 12 January 2026.
- ^ a b "Ukrainian teen wounds two and himself in school stabbing". The Straits Times. 13 January 2026.
- ^ a b "Teen stabs teacher, classmate at Kyiv school, police probe possible foreign influence". Kyiv Post. 13 January 2026.
- ^ "Kyiv court detains teen suspect in school stabbing case". Mezha. 14 January 2026.
- ^ "Kyiv court detains teen suspect in school stabbing case for 60 days". Mezha. 14 January 2026.