Arkhangelsk Parents Demand Cameras After Pedophile Teacher Allegations

Information has appeared on social media and Telegram channels about the detention in Arkhangelsk of a teacher at one of the rehabilitation and social adaptation centers for special needs children. The posts claim that he engaged in pedophilia and violence against minors. No official confirmations of such suspicions from law enforcement agencies have been published.

A video has also appeared on Telegram showing an unknown adult engaging in physical education with a crying child. It is difficult to claim that anything illegal is happening in the footage, as the video is heavily blurred.

The editorial office of 29.RU contacted the center«s director. She said she had seen the publications online but did not comment on this information. She told the editorial journalist that she is at a meeting with the head of the federal Investigative Committee, Alexander Bastrykin.

Residents of Arkhangelsk whose children attend this center shared their opinions with 29.RU. One mother, whose child attended this teacher«s classes, said that he has not been working at the center since around spring 2025. She did not notice anything bad about him and is waiting for official information.

Other interviewees also did not accuse the employee of anything bad, although many are in shock.

— My daughter had him a couple of times, and he showed me photos from the classes, — wrote one Arkhangelsk resident. — But I can«t say anything bad or good [about him]. I believe that every classroom should have cameras or parents present. You will be more attentive to the child if a camera is pointed at you or a parent is sitting nearby and sees and hears everything. At least you will try twice as hard!

— Fortunately, we didn«t get him, — says another northern woman. — We had a different physical education teacher. We ourselves are in shock. This is the first building, as I understand, it»s new, I«m not familiar with him. [Other] parents also can»t believe it, just horror.

— We study with another teacher, [and about this one] I can«t say anything. In general, physical education teachers record videos of classes to show parents what they did with the children during the lesson, and who struggled with what, what to pay attention to. As far as I remember, he also recorded and showed parents. How true all this is and not exaggerated, I won»t judge. The center has funding problems, and for some reason, this isn«t being highlighted in the press. Could this be a provocation? My child likes the classes at the center, and over the year we have made great progress in his development. If this person is guilty, it will be found out, but to blame the center, as most people do — that»s certainly too much.

— The investigation is currently dealing with this, as far as I know, — shared another mother anonymously. — Parents are undoubtedly deeply outraged, as many do not know how to critically assess. I and many others are sure that the series of posts dedicated to [the center] is commissioned. I mean specifically negative posts about the activities of social entrepreneurs in general. Most likely, this information was dug up to add negativity. If it turns out to be true, the culprit should be punished deservedly. That is the unanimous opinion of parents. What punishment the [center«s director] might face for this, I can hardly imagine.

In Telegram channels, northerners also comment on rumors about the detention of the center«s employee.

— We have been attending the center for 5 years. At first, we went with the older child from age 9, little benefit. But with the little one, everything is excellent. Over 5 years, I haven«t seen anything particularly, I always waited for the child there. Everyone is very polite. Regarding [the detention information], I am in shock myself. We also went to his classes, my child didn»t speak back then.

— All specialists at [the center] have always been good. Professionals who worked very quality and professionally. A criminal can be in any educational institution. Personally for me, this center has been a salvation. Very grateful to the wonderful teachers. This is my opinion, based on facts.

More About Rehabilitation Centers

Recall that at the end of 2025, the rehabilitation and social adaptation centers for special needs children «Drugaya Storona» (The Other Side) and «Ladoshki» (Little Palms) were threatened with closure. Their managers claim that the government of Arkhangelsk Oblast unexpectedly stopped funding the projects.

To draw attention to the problem, parents of children with disabilities held pickets near the regional administration, as well as on Red Square in Moscow.

In December, the situation with the centers was commented on by Governor Alexander Tsybulsky. During a direct line, he stated that funding for the centers had not been stopped, and explained how this process is arranged.