Latest news with #Vitkov
Metro
01-07-2025
- Metro
Major health update on toddler who was hurled onto floor at Moscow airport
A toddler who was bodyslammed to the ground by a thug at an international airport has opened his eyes after more than a week. Shocking CCTV footage of the attack at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport on June 23 showed the 18-month-old leaning against a suitcase. Suddenly, Belarusian Vladimir Vitkov, 31, a nuclear power plant construction worker, picked up and hurled little Yazdan on the ground. After a brief spasm, the boy, named Yazdan, becomes motionless as someone picks him up in their arms to keep him safe. The tot had arrived in Russia minutes earlier after he and his mother fled the bombing in Iran, according to local reports. Local media have now said Yazdan has opened his eyes and is breathing on his own, but is still in intensive care. His father, Mohammed Shahim, said yesterday: 'Two hours ago, he was disconnected from the ventilator. Doctors say that he will remain in intensive care until tomorrow. 'He regained consciousness, opened his eyes, but is not saying anything yet. I am here every second, I am with him 24/7.' Chief physician at Moscow's L.M. Roshal Children's Clinical Centre, Tatyana Shapovalenko, said: 'The child was extubated, meaning that the boy is now breathing on his own with a high flow of oxygen.' 31-year-old Vitkov remains in custody and has reportedly refused to apologise to Yazdan's family. Yazdan's father, Mohammed, said: 'He is not a man, he is Satan, he is Shaitan. He mocked us: me, my wife.' Vitkov was reportedly high on drugs and told the police he was a schizophrenia patient. The Belarusian was reported by some outlets to have been on the same flight as the child and his mother, who were escaping from Iran, where they had been visiting relatives. Initial reports found he was returning home through Moscow after failing a drug and alcohol check for a job in Egypt. Vitkov later confessed to being high on drugs when he threw the toddler head-first onto the ground. In police discussions, Vitkov seemingly confessed to the crime when asked to explain what he did. More Trending He told an officer: 'I attempted to murder a child… at Sheremetyevo Airport.' When asked what his motive was, Vitkov said he 'didn't know' because he was 'under the influence of drugs'. Reports said cannabis had been found in his possession, and there were traces of the drug in his blood. Mash news outlet reported today that he had drunk three bottles of whisky and obtained cannabis in Cairo before the incident. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Boy, 15, stabbed to death with hunting knife by fellow pupil during lunch break MORE: British volunteer who died 'fighting bravely' for Ukraine given final farewell MORE: Three arrested on suspicion of manslaughter at hospital where Lucy Letby worked
Gulf Today
27-06-2025
- Gulf Today
VIDEO: 2-year-old Iranian boy in coma after Belarusian man slams him to floor at Moscow airport
A shocking incident at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport has left a two-year-old Iranian boy in a coma with severe injuries after he was violently assaulted by a man in the arrivals hall. Surveillance footage shows the child, who had just arrived in Russia with his mother after fleeing bombings in Iran, calmly holding the handle of his trolley bag. Standing nearby, a man wearing a white T-shirt, shorts, and black sunglasses perched on his forehead is seen loitering with his hands in his pockets. After glancing around to see if anyone is watching, he suddenly moves toward the boy, picks him up without warning, and slams him violently onto the floor. The toddler suffered multiple skull fractures and serious spinal injuries. He remains in a coma and is fighting for his life in hospital. The attack took place while the boy's pregnant mother was retrieving his stroller from baggage claim. A bystander quickly rushed to help the injured child, as seen in the disturbing footage posted on X by the Iranian Embassy in India. 'A traveler at Moscow airport brutally assaulted an Iranian child, whose family had fled the Israeli aggression. The child is in a coma and has sustained life-threatening injuries,' the Iranian Embassy said in a statement. The attacker has been identified as 31-year-old Vladimir Vitkov, a Belarusian national. Russian authorities are investigating the motive behind the assault, including the possibility of racist intent or drug influence. Vitkov was taken into custody shortly after the incident. Police confirmed that they are conducting toxicology tests and reviewing surveillance footage to understand the circumstances surrounding the assault.
Perth Now
25-06-2025
- Perth Now
Man's chilling admission after slamming toddler to the ground at airport
A man arrested after picking up and throwing a toddler head-first onto the floor at a Russian airport has confessed to trying to murder the child, saying he was on drugs at the time. Chilling footage shows the moment Vladimir Vitkov picked up 18-month-old Yazdan and slammed him onto the floor in the arrivals hall of Moscow's Sheremetyevo International Airport earlier this week. The child suffered serious skull fractures and was placed into a coma. Security footage shows the 31-year-old alleged attacker from Belarus lingering near the child, who was standing beside a suitcase. Vitkov appears to check his surroundings before suddenly seizing the toddler and throwing him with force onto the floor. It has been reported that Vitkov had been on the same flight as the toddler and his mother, who were fleeing bombing in Iran where they had been visiting family. Vitkov flew into Moscow from Egypt after being fired from a nuclear construction job when he failed a drug and alcohol test, The Mirror reported. When questioned by authorities after the incident he reportedly confessed, saying: 'I attempted to murder a child.' Vitkov could not provide a motive for his actions because he said he was 'under the influence of drugs'. According to Russian Investigative Committee reports, traces of cannabis were found in Vitkov's blood. Additional reports suggest he was also found in possession of illegal substances. Moscow Region Children's Ombudswoman Ksenia Mishonova condemned the assault, labelling Vitkov 'a drug-addled monster'. 'All this is incredibly difficult to bear,' she said. '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.' Mishonova provided an update on the child's heath, saying his brain was not damaged and that he was no longer in a coma. The Mirror reported a doctor at a children's hospital in Moscow said the child was admitted with a severe craniocerebral injury. 'He has an open fracture of the skull bones, a fracture of the base and vault of the skull, a subdural haematoma,' Dr Tatyana Shapovalenko said. The toddler remains in hospital as doctors assess his condition. — With The Nightly
7NEWS
25-06-2025
- 7NEWS
Man who slammed toddler to the ground at Moscow airport confesses to trying to murder the child
A man arrested after picking up and throwing a toddler head-first onto the floor at a Russian airport has confessed to trying to murder the child, saying he was on drugs at the time. Chilling footage shows the moment Vladimir Vitkov picked up 18-month-old Yazdan and slammed him onto the floor in the arrivals hall of Moscow's Sheremetyevo International Airport earlier this week. The child suffered serious skull fractures and was placed into a coma. Security footage shows the 31-year-old alleged attacker from Belarus lingering near the child, who was standing beside a suitcase. Vitkov appears to check his surroundings before suddenly seizing the toddler and throwing him with force onto the floor. It has been reported that Vitkov had been on the same flight as the toddler and his mother, who were fleeing bombing in Iran where they had been visiting family. Vitkov flew into Moscow from Egypt after being fired from a nuclear construction job when he failed a drug and alcohol test, The Mirror reported. When questioned by authorities after the incident he reportedly confessed, saying: 'I attempted to murder a child.' Vitkov could not provide a motive for his actions because he said he was 'under the influence of drugs'. According to Russian Investigative Committee reports, traces of cannabis were found in Vitkov's blood. Additional reports suggest he was also found in possession of illegal substances. Moscow Region Children's Ombudswoman Ksenia Mishonova condemned the assault, labelling Vitkov 'a drug-addled monster'. 'All this is incredibly difficult to bear,' she said. '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.' Mishonova provided an update on the child's heath, saying his brain was not damaged and that he was no longer in a coma. The Mirror reported a doctor at a children's hospital in Moscow said the child was admitted with a severe craniocerebral injury. 'He has an open fracture of the skull bones, a fracture of the base and vault of the skull, a subdural haematoma,' Dr Tatyana Shapovalenko said. The toddler remains in hospital as doctors assess his condition.
Economic Times
25-06-2025
- Economic Times
Watch: Toddler in coma after being slammed on floor by tourist at Moscow airport; Child had fled Iran with pregnant mother
The suspect can be seen in the CCTV footage just before he slammed the kid on ground 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 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. The attack has sparked global outrage. dMeanwhile, 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 footage: The video is quite graphic and hence readers are advised caution. — LASHYBILLS (@LASHYBILLS)
