Meeting of furries attacked with grenade in St Petersburg
A meeting of “furries” was attacked by a grenade-wielding assailant in a St Petersburg park on Sunday, local media reported – the latest in a series of criminal cases involving the niche subculture in Russia.
The gathering of furries – who identify with and dress up as animals – was disrupted by an unidentified attacker wearing a balaclava who was injured attempting to detonate the device, news website Fontanka reported.
“We saw him pulling the pin,” one participant told the outlet. “Our guys went up to him, fell down and immediately an explosion went off.”
The rally was attended by dozens of furries, with most of the participants said to be teenagers.
“The Fluffies had their first convention,” posted one guest, named as Mr Fox. “But in the end it turned into a trap for anti-furries.”
The attacker was handed over to police with an injured hand, and is now facing criminal charges. Police said the detainee was 19 years old and a motive has yet to be established.
Videos posted on social media showed the aftermath of the incident in which a man wearing black is held by police officers as members of the furry community look on.
The incident is the latest of several recent cases in which the activities of Russian furries – the subculture has chapters around the world, including the UK – have resulted in police action.
Last week, an administrator with the group “Furry St Petersburg” claimed to have been attacked by a fellow furry and satanist who carved a pentagram into his forehead. The suspect, named only as “Dmitry”, claimed that the act was consensual.
During the Wagner group mutiny of late June, two furries aged 18 and 20 were reportedly arrested with weapons in Moscow after attempting to join the uprising.
A further 15 furries were arrested in Moscow attending anti-war protests last year after the invasion of Ukraine, according to human rights group OVD-Info.
The Russian furry scene has grown steadily in recent years, with thousands in the major cities and organised events, according to members.
The scene has come under pressure from conservative religious elements who see it as sexually depraved.
Networks of Ukrainian furries have also developed, with some groups fundraising for the military during the war.
