Fact Check: Calls for Vitkov to face hard labor until old age after toddler's assault.

Fact Check: "Calls for Vitkov to face hard labor until old age after toddler's assault."

What We Know

On June 24, 2025, an 18-month-old Afghan toddler named Yazdan was violently assaulted at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport by a Belarusian national named Vladimir Vitkov. The child had recently fled violence in Iran with his mother and was reportedly in critical condition following the attack, which involved Vitkov picking up the child and throwing him headfirst onto the floor. Vitkov later confessed to police that he attempted to murder the child while under the influence of drugs and alcohol (Tasnim News, KyivPost).

The incident sparked outrage, particularly among Iranian officials. The Iranian Ambassador to Moscow, Kazem Jalali, condemned the attack as "completely inhuman" and confirmed that the child was indeed Afghan, contrary to initial reports suggesting he was Iranian (Tasnim News).

Russian children's ombudswoman Ksenia Mishonova described Vitkov as a "drug-addled monster" and called for the harshest punishment, stating, "This is a monster who must be punished with hard labor until old age" (Economic Times, Times of India).

Analysis

The claim regarding calls for Vitkov to face hard labor until old age is substantiated by multiple sources. Ksenia Mishonova's statement, as reported by both the Economic Times and the Times of India, explicitly calls for Vitkov to receive a severe punishment, specifically hard labor until old age. This aligns with the public sentiment expressed by Iranian officials and the broader community, who are demanding justice for the heinous act committed against the innocent child.

The sources reporting on this incident are credible, including established news outlets like Tasnim News, KyivPost, and Economic Times. They provide detailed accounts of the incident, including eyewitness reports and official statements, which lend credibility to the claims made.

Conclusion

The claim that there are calls for Vladimir Vitkov to face hard labor until old age after the assault on the toddler is True. This is supported by statements from Russian officials, particularly Ksenia Mishonova, who has publicly demanded such a punishment. The widespread outrage and calls for justice following this brutal act further reinforce the validity of this claim.

Fact Check: Calls for Vitkov to face hard labor until old age after toddler's assault.