Crimea College Massacre: A Suicide‑Saga Fueled by Bullying and Global Glitch
Last Thursday, the skies over Kerch fell silent as 18‑year‑old Vladislav Roslyakov opened fire on fellow students, tearing through the campus of a technical college like a bad movie plot.
What the Teenager Really Said
A girl, claiming to be Vladislav’s ex‑girlfriend, told reporters that the tragedy was a vengeance act against a wave of bullying.
Putin’s Take on the “Globalization” Theory
President Vladimir Putin weighed in at a forum in Sochi, insisting that the massacre was part of a global trend that started in the US. He called it a result of globalization and criticized the lack of quality online content for youth.
He added, “We do not create enough good (online) content for young people. This leads to this kind of tragedy,” all while his administration tightens internet controls.
The Numbers That Shocked Us All
- 20 people killed
- 40+ injured
- Vladislav took his own life after the shooting
The investigation is still underway, but the story illustrates a bleak blend of personal pain and a world that may not be doing enough to protect its younger members.
Kerch College Tragedy: A Small Town’s Heartbreak
What Went Down
A week‑long Instagram story turned grim when a 19‑year‑old student, Vladislav Roslyakov, unleashed a mad‑roar at the college in Kerch, Crimea. The incident, which spanned class after class, saw a homemade grenade explode, followed by a barrage of gunfire that left 20 souls dead—most of them kids.
Who Was He?
Those close to Vladislav shared a story that tugged at ribbons. An ex‑girlfriend named Zlata spoke gently about his “kind and considerate” nature and how bullying made him feel “lost.” She confessed he’d felt pressure to fit in and eventually said, “He didn’t want to live.” After they split, she hinted he’d have a “shooting fascination.” She also apologized for the lives he took and his own suicide, sparking shock in the community.
The Victims
- Sergei Stepanenko, 15 — youngest victim
- Darya Chegerest, 16 — heroic, tried to help but died
- Other Victims: 19 total, 9 under 18
Aftermath
The health ministry reported 20 deaths, but local officials initially listed 19. Many hospitalized carried injuries from a blast that sent metal ball bearings flying like angry marbles, causing organs to get torn up. The health minister, Veronika Skvortsova, said the most affected were those hit by bullets. “The explosion turned people into mincemeat,” she noted, while others had limbs missing.
Comparisons & Commentary
Russian daily Kommersant described Vladislav’s tactics as a “special forces” routine, with a homemade grenade before he turned to shooting. They labelled it an “unprecedented crime” in a country with strict gun rules. Meanwhile, some journalists drew parallels to the 1999 Columbine crash—an event that buried 13 people in the U.S. There were clicks of photos seemingly linking Vladislav to Columbine’s Eric Harris, complete with similar T‑shirts.
Crimean leader Sergei Aksyonov expressed bafflement: “On paper he had an ideal character — we simply do not understand.” Kommersant helped us trace Vladislav’s background: a rough upbringing with a disabled dad and a mother who works as a hospital orderly. Reports also claim she’s a Jehovah’s Witness, a group banned in Russia. Following the shooting, security forces raided the family’s home.
The Community’s Reaction
Families left flowers, candles, and even toys at the scene. A local resident, Sergei Ivanov spoke to AFP about the town feeling like a shattered family: “We all lost people close to us, the children of Kerch. We need to know the truth now.” The pro‑Kremlin paper Izvestia cautioned that this risk might repeat itself, while Kremlin spokesman Peskov promised “measures to minimise or eliminate” future threats.
Recent Pattern of School Violence in Russia
Kerch is not alone. Earlier this year, a Siberian student massacred teachers and classmates with an axe and attempted to burn a school. In April, another student in the Urals Mountains stabbed a teacher and a fellow student before setting a classroom ablaze.
What Do We Take From This?
It’s a sobering reminder that deep‑seated bullying and mental health crises can spiral. The world—especially small towns—needs to listen, support, and understand before the next tragedy occurs.
