Watch: Toddler in coma after being slammed on floor by tourist at Moscow airport; Child had fled Iran with pregnant mother
A horrifying incident at Moscow's Sheremetyevo International Airport has left an 18-month-old boy in a coma after he was violently slammed to the ground by a tourist. The child had just arrived in Russia with his pregnant mother, fleeing conflict in
Iran
via Afghanistan.
The attacker, identified as 31-year-old
Vladimir Vitkov
from Belarus, was caught on CCTV footage in the arrivals hall. In the video, Vitkov is seen glancing around before suddenly grabbing the toddler—who stood beside a suitcase—and throwing him headfirst onto the hard airport floor.
The boy, who suffered a fractured skull and spinal injuries, was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. His mother was reportedly just meters away, collecting the child's pushchair, when the assault took place. Witnesses quickly intervened, stopping Vitkov and alerting authorities.
Russian officials have launched an attempted murder investigation, also probing potential motives, including racial hatred and drug influence. Traces of cannabis were found in Vitkov's system, and additional drugs were reportedly discovered on him. During questioning, Vitkov vaguely admitted to past legal troubles, saying, 'I made mistakes like that.'
Vitkov's female travel companion was reportedly in shock, and disturbing reports say he has a daughter around the same age as the victim.
Live Events
The attack has sparked global outrage.
d
Meanwhile, Moscow Region Children's Ombudswoman Ksenia Mishonova told The Sun: 'A drug-addled monster grabbed a toddler in the arrivals hall and threw him on the floor with all his might….All this is incredibly difficult to bear. I hope the detained monster will receive the full severity of the law. I wish the child a speedy recovery. May the parents have the strength to survive this.'
The case has triggered intense debate on airport security, mental health screening, and the vulnerability of refugee families. With over 40 million passengers annually, Sheremetyevo is Russia's busiest airport—now under scrutiny for one of its most chilling incidents.
Disturbing footage: The video is quite graphic and hence readers are advised caution.
— LASHYBILLS (@LASHYBILLS)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
43 minutes ago
- Hans India
Fearless Reporting is the Soul of Journalism: Mangaluru Police Commissioner Sudhir Kumar Reddy
Mangaluru: 'Journalism without fearless reporting is meaningless,' said Mangaluru Police Commissioner Sudhir Kumar Reddy, addressing a gathering at the Press Club here on Wednesday. He was speaking after presenting the Brand Mangaluru Award to journalist Vijay Kotian. The event was organised by the Dakshina Kannada Working Journalists' Association. Citing the example of Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya, Reddy underscored the importance of courage in journalism. 'When your intentions are genuine, courage follows naturally. Journalists should not fear anything if they're committed to truth,' he said. He recalled how post-genocide Rwanda saw deep divisions between communities, with almost no communication between them. 'But it was the media—particularly radio—that began highlighting the good happening in society. Eventually, people came together, and the perpetrators were brought to justice. That transformation was led by journalism,' he noted. Highlighting the role of accuracy over speed, Reddy cautioned against hastily publishing unverified information. 'Accuracy is more important than how quickly a story is published. Journalists must not let false balance dilute the truth. There's no need to treat the accused and the victim the same in the name of neutrality,' he said. 'Writing the truth will invite challenges. But there is no need to fear if your writing stems from integrity and empathy. A journalist who writes with a clear conscience will never be shaken,' he asserted. Reddy called for 'conscientious and compassionate journalism,' and added, 'The light that journalism brings must dispel the darkness in society. If journalists fail to carry that light, the shadow of injustice will remain, affecting the majority because of the actions of a few.' He concluded by saying that even if challenges persist, the press must work towards lasting peace. 'When we look back in times of peace, let us remember that it was fearless journalists who made that peace possible,' he said. Also present at the event were Khader Shah, Senior Assistant Director, Department of Information and Public Relations; Ramakrishna R., President of the Press Bhavan Trust; P.B. Harish Rai, President of Mangaluru Press Club; Srinivas Indaje, President of the Working Journalists' Association; Treasurer Pushparaj B.N.; and General Secretary Jitendra Kundeshwar.
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Fearless reporting is the soul of journalism: Police Commissioner
Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy on Wednesday, June 25, said it is important for reporters to maintain authenticity in the news and not rush to write or display news in a hurry. Speaking after presenting the 'Brand Mangaluru' award to Vijay Kotian Padu, reporter with a vernacular daily at the Mangaluru Press Club on Wednesday, Mr. Reddy said, in rush to be the first to provide the news, it is not good to write something that comes to the mind and cause injustice. In conflict situations, it is important to tell the truth, rather than treat the accused and the victim on equal footing. 'If you (reporters) write truth there is no need to fear,' he said. If compassion is reflected in the report then there will be no problem. The differences will ease out in the society. Journalists should act like a light to dispel darkness in the society. Fearless reporting, he said, was the soul of reporting. Referring to the work of Russian investigative journalist Anna Politkovskaya, Mr. Reddy said if journalists do their work with noble intention he/she need not fear. Mr. Reddy said journalists, including those in Radio, kept on reporting on positive things while genocide was happening in Rwanda. Over the years differences among communities died down and effort was made to outlaw mischief mongers in Rwanda. 'Similar work needs to be done by journalists in Mangaluru too,' he said. The 'Brand Mangaluru' award was instituted by Dakshina Kannada Working Journalists Association. Mr. Padu was chosen for his report on Muslims donning 'Huli vesha'.
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Shocking video: Belarus man slams Iranian boy on floor at Moscow airport
Jun 25, 2025 08:53 PM IST A Belarusian man grabbed and threw a child on the floor at the Moscow international airport, injuring him seriously. The video of the unprovoked assault has gone viral. The 18-month-old boy, a native of Iran, is reportedly in a coma and fighting for his life. The boy suffered severe skull fractures and spinal injuries. The boy and his pregnant mother had come to Russia to escape the Israel-induced war. The boy was not around his mother at the time of the incident. The video shows the man sneaking in close to the boy at the airport. He suddenly grabs the boy and slams him head-first on the concrete floor, seriously injuring him. The boy suffered severe skull fractures and spinal injuries. He is in a coma. The suspect, identified as 31-year-old Vladimir Vitkov of Belarus, has been arrested. The video shows him being escorted out by the Russian police. After the horrific incident, investigators revealed that the accused had cannabis in his bloodstream. They also found additional drugs in his system, reported ToI. The boy's mother had gone to collect his pushchair after their flight's arrival in Moscow. The police haven't yet revealed the motive behind the crime. They, however, believe that drug intoxication played a major role in the incident. Israel-Iran war Israel and Iran fought a 12-day war after the former attacked Tehran's nuclear sites to stop it from developing nuclear weapons. Both sides fired salvos at each other, leading to deaths and injuries on both sides. The United States also destroyed three Iranian nuclear sites. The three nations announced a ceasefire on Tuesday.
