An 18‑month‑old Iranian boy remains in a coma after a horrifying unprovoked attack at Sheremetyevo International Airport in Moscow on June 25, 2025. The toddler, who had recently fled Iran alongside his pregnant mother, was violently grabbed and slammed head‑first onto the floor by a 31‑year‑old Belarusian tourist, identified as Vladimir Vitkov. Security camera footage reveals a calm toddler wandering near his luggage in the arrivals zone when Vitkov, glancing around nervously, swiftly picks him up by the torso and throws him onto the hard concrete floor.

The force of the impact caused catastrophic injuries—multiple skull fractures and severe spinal trauma. Emergency medical teams were immediately called, and the child was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he remains in critical condition, unconscious and critically injured. Vitkov was detained on-site by authorities; investigations revealed traces of cannabis and other drugs in his system at the time of the attack. Law enforcement officials have launched a preliminary attempted murder investigation and are probing possible motivations, including racial or xenophobic bias, though no official motive has been confirmed.

Ksenia Mishonova, the Moscow Region Children’s Ombudswoman, condemned the act as that of a “drug‑addled monster” and urged authorities to impose the maximum legal penalty. She also called for enhanced protective measures in public spaces against vulnerable groups such as refugees. This shocking event has ignited global outrage, shedding light on the precarious safety of families fleeing conflict zones and raising serious questions about airport security protocols and mental-health screenings for travelers.

Sheremetyevo, one of Europe's busiest airports, now faces scrutiny over how the attacker managed to approach a minor so intimately and launch such a violent assault. In diplomatic reaction, Iran's embassy in India shared footage of the attack on X (formerly Twitter), stating: “A traveler at the Moscow airport confronted an Iranian child… and brutally assaulted him”. Sheremetyevo, one of Europe's busiest airports, now faces scrutiny over how the attacker managed to approach a minor so intimately and launch such a violent assault. In diplomatic reaction, Iran's embassy in India shared footage of the attack on X (formerly Twitter), stating: “A traveler at the Moscow airport confronted an Iranian child… and brutally assaulted him”.

The young victim remains in critical condition, with doctors working to stabilize his vital functions. His pregnant mother, traumatized by the attack, is receiving care and support from both hospital staff and embassy officials. Meanwhile, Vitkov remains in custody, awaiting formal charges as authorities continue the probe. This tragic incident underscores a harsh reality: international airports—designed as gateways to safety—can become sites of sudden, unthinkable violence. As calls grow louder for systemic policy reassessment, the vulnerable toddler fights for his life, while his family and global observers await justice.