13-Year-Old Girl Dies After Being Impaled by Javelin During PE Lesson in Russia

A 13-year-old schoolgirl, Anastasia Ryzhenko, tragically died after being impaled through the eye by a javelin during a physical education class in Prokhladny, Kabardino-Balkaria, Russia. She remained in a coma for four days before succumbing to her injuries.

The incident occurred during a javelin training session involving Anastasia and a 16-year-old boy named Timur. According to Anastasia’s mother, Elena, the students were allegedly positioned opposite each other by their coach, Vladimir Miroshnichenko, 51, who then turned away. Timur reportedly threw the 7-foot javelin without proper supervision and only shouted a warning at the moment of release—too late for Anastasia to react.

The javelin pierced the girl’s eye socket, fractured her jaw, and caused internal bleeding in her lungs. She was rushed to the hospital and placed in intensive care but never regained consciousness. Anastasia would have turned 14 on May 31.

The fatal training took place not on a professional field but on a standard open area at Kolos sports school. Both Anastasia and Timur were active javelin athletes. The Russian Investigative Committee confirmed that a criminal investigation is underway, with all relevant documents, safety regulations, and eyewitness testimonies being collected.

“The boy left without the supervision of the teacher conducting the lesson, threw a javelin, which hit the head of an underage pupil of the school born in 2011,” the Investigative Committee said in a statement. “The victim was immediately taken to a medical facility to receive medical assistance, where she died a few days later from the injuries she received.”

Anastasia's mother expressed anger and sorrow over the lack of accountability and compassion shown by the coach and Timur’s family. “During all this time, [Timur's mother] never came. And the coach didn't come, only on the day of the funeral,” she said. “As a mother, I would have crawled on my knees pleading: 'Forgive me, excuse me, maybe I can help.' But not a single one came.”

Local social activist Anastasia Yemelyanova criticized the severe negligence and lack of child safety measures in place during the session. She posted a video online expressing outrage: “The child is dead. I just can't wrap my head around how this can happen… You work with children. They are not adults. You must anticipate everything and comply with safety standards.”

Authorities have reportedly fired the security guard who permitted use of the unsafe training field. It remains unclear whether Coach Miroshnichenko has been detained or formally charged as the investigation continues.

Anastasia’s death has sparked widespread grief in the community, with classmates posting tributes such as, “We will never forget you, my love,” and “Kingdom of heaven, our baby.” Her mother offered heartfelt thanks to the ambulance paramedics, doctors, and nurses who fought to save her daughter’s life.