A Belarusian tourist has been charged with attempted murder after a horrifying assault on a two-year-old Iranian boy at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport. The child is in a coma with skull and spinal injuries.
Horror at Sheremetyevo: Toddler Slammed to Floor in Unprovoked Airport Attack
A shocking act of violence unfolded at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo International Airport, where a Belarusian tourist has been charged with attempted murder after violently slamming a two-year-old Iranian child to the ground. The toddler, who had just arrived in Russia with his mother after fleeing bombings in Iran, is now in a coma, suffering from serious skull fractures and spinal injuries.
The incident, captured in disturbing airport surveillance footage, has triggered widespread outrage and renewed concerns over airport security, racially motivated violence, and the vulnerabilities of refugee families.
A Shocking Assault Caught on Camera
The footage, posted by the Iranian Embassy in India, shows the child calmly holding the handle of a trolley bag in the arrivals hall while his mother, who is reportedly pregnant, collects a pushchair nearby. Suddenly, a man—later identified as 31-year-old Vladimir Vitkov from Belarus—approaches the child, scoops him up without warning, and slams him head-first to the floor.
Immediately after the attack, a bystander rushes to pick up the injured boy, while the attacker is seen walking away calmly, hands in pockets.
Child in Critical Condition, No Brain Damage Reported Yet
Hospital officials have confirmed the child is in a coma, though there are no current signs of brain damage. The skull and spinal fractures are considered life-threatening, and his condition remains critical but stable.
“The child was violently assaulted at Moscow airport while his mother was collecting their luggage. This innocent victim had just fled violence in Iran, only to be attacked again upon arrival,” said a spokesperson for the Iranian Embassy in Moscow.
Possible Hate Crime Under Investigation
Authorities are currently investigating whether racist or xenophobic motives were involved in the unprovoked assault. Police have also confirmed that Vitkov appeared to be under the influence of drugs at the time of the attack. He has been detained and charged with attempted murder, facing serious legal consequences under Russian law.
The Kremlin has not yet made a formal statement, but the viral video has already sparked international outrage, with calls for stronger protections for refugees and vulnerable travelers.
A Dark Reminder of Refugee Realities
The child and his family were reportedly escaping the conflict and bombing in Iran, part of a growing wave of displaced civilians caught in the crossfire of regional unrest, including Israel’s recent escalations. The attack has highlighted the growing hostility faced by refugees, even in spaces presumed to be safe.
As global headlines increasingly include violence against displaced persons, this tragic event has become yet another symbol of the complex intersections between migration, prejudice, and mental health.
Justice Demanded, Security Questions Raised
This horrific incident has left many asking: How was such an act even possible in a secured international terminal? Security protocols, surveillance, and traveler screening are now under intense scrutiny at Sheremetyevo and beyond.
While the Iranian boy fights for his life, his mother remains by his side in hospital care. Advocates are calling for international support, a thorough investigation, and heightened protection for refugee children.
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