Ravil Gaynutdin, chairman of the Religious Administration of Muslims of the Russian Federation and the Council of Muftis of Russia presents a bravery award to a 15-year-old Islam Khalilov who saved over 100 people during the shooting attack at a concert hall in the Moscow region, on March 29, 2024.
When the attack began, the students were working as cloakroom attendants. Along with other employees, they directed people towards the exits and away from dead ends.
Khalilov filmed himself running towards the scene of the attack and directing people towards the exits, while Donskoy was seen escorting another group out of the burning building.
Islam recalled to Russian radio that he was "very scared" but wanted to make sure no one was left behind before fleeing the scene himself.
Donskoy recalled how they found themselves at a dead end and decided to direct others towards the right direction.
"The guys and I saw this and decided to take everything into our own hands, we turned the people around and led them in the right direction," Donskoy said
"Just there, an emergency exit was opened, and everyone went through it. My colleagues and I tried to make sure that all the people got out and evacuated and that we didn't leave anyone behind," adding that they were the last to leave as a result.
Russia honoured the teenagers with bravery awards on Monday in a ceremony officiated by Russia's commissioner for children's rights. They were also rewarded with new laptops and certificates from their school.
According to Russian state news agency TASS, Islam will also receive an award from the Spiritual Assembly of Muslims in Russia. Russian rapper Morgenshtern has also said he would send the teenager a million roubles ($11,000).
