In August and September, staff of the St. Petersburg social center 'Kontakt' together with representatives of the Center for Countering Extremism of the Interior Ministry (Center 'E') will conduct raids in shopping malls and other places where young people gather. This follows from a fragment of a resolution of the city commission on minors' affairs, which was noted by the Telegram channel 'Ostorozhno, Peterburg' and the publication 78.ru.

Participants in the raids are tasked with identifying 'radically minded youth' by 'distinctive external attributes in clothing' and accessories indicating possible affiliation with 'informal asocial groups.' Which specific items of clothing and symbols the authorities consider signs of such views are not explained in the document. It also does not specify whether the raids involve document checks, questioning of teenagers, or collection of their personal data.

Identified teenagers are planned to be involved in 'preventive work on deradicalization and constructive socialization.' The 'Kontakt' center and the St. Petersburg Committee on Youth Policy confirmed to the publication 'Post-' the preparation of the raids but declined to comment.

The raids are explained by a rise in juvenile crime. According to the commission, in the first half of 2026, 339 crimes involving minors were registered in St. Petersburg — 26% more than a year earlier. Almost half of them are classified as grave and especially grave.

The commission's materials also claim that in January, an attack on a school in the Vasileostrovsky district was prevented. Allegedly, a 14-year-old native of Kyrgyzstan entered into correspondence with a curator on Telegram, purchased weapons and equipment, but was detained. The teenager was deported from Russia, and a case of aiding terrorist activity was opened against the curators. It was not possible to independently confirm this data: there are no separate reports from the FSB, Investigative Committee, Interior Ministry, or court on this episode. The document does not specify the type of weapon, the circumstances of the detention, or the legal basis for deporting a minor.

Another area of prevention will be youth 'cyber squads,' writes 78.ru. Until December, the authorities intend to attract active students to them, who will monitor social networks for alleged roofers and train surfers, and then pass information about them to the police and Roskomnadzor.

In May, the Russian government instructed regions to develop 'cyber squads' and 'media patrols' based on educational institutions. Rosmolodezh told RBC that such associations have existed since 2023: 'volunteers' at schools and universities search the internet for materials 'aimed at involving the younger generation in activities that threaten their life and health' and submit requests to block content.