Ukrainian TV presenter, 28, suffers horrific facial injuries after being viciously beaten by a stranger who tried to rape her in front of her six-year-old son on a train
- Anastasia Lugova, 28, was attacked by Vitaliy Rudzko, 45, in train compartment
- She was travelling to Kyiv, Ukraine, on Friday with her six-year-old son Zakhar
- Rudzko faces up to eight years in prison for battery and attempted rape
A television presenter was left virtually unrecognisable after being viciously beaten by a stranger on a train while he tried to rape her in front of her six-year-old son in Ukraine.
Anastasia Lugova was brutally attacked by Vitaliy Rudzko, 45, when he stormed into her sleeping compartment during her journey from Mariupol to the capital city of Kyiv, on Friday.
The 28-year-old and her son Zakhar were asleep when Rudzko, wearing only his underwear, broke in at around 3am and grabbed her by the neck.
Anastasia Lugova, 28, was assaulted by Vitaliy Rudzko, 45, in front of her son, six, during her train journey from Mariupol to the capital city of Kyiv, on Friday
The woman and her six-year-old son Zakhar, pictured, were sleeping in their compartment when Rudzko, wearing only his underwear, broke in at around three in the morning
Anastasia told local media: ‘I woke up after he grabbed me by the neck and started punching me in the face.
‘I started screaming and calling for help but no one came.’
‘He then said: ”Be a good girl or it will be worse”, and started undressing me.
According to Anastasia, the noise woke up her son, who saw the horrific episode and cried.
When Rudzko turned to the boy with an obvious intent to hit him, the mother did everything she could to protect her child.
She said: ‘I started begging the thug not to hurt my son and promised to do everything he wanted.
‘I asked him to go somewhere else to get him away from my son.
‘He agreed and ordered me to go to his compartment.’
After they entered Rudzko’s compartment and he started taking off his underwear, the victim pushed him and rushed back to her son.
The train crew handed Rudzko to the police after the train arrived in Kyiv. He faces up to eight years in prison if found guilty of battery and attempted rape
She said: ‘I grabbed Zakhar and we ran to the conductor, who hid us in her compartment.’
The thug continued to search the carriage for Ms Lugova, covering himself with a sheet.
The train crew took Rudzko down and handed him to the police after the train arrived in Kyiv.
When Rudzko turned to her son with an obvious intent to hit him, Anastasia (right and left, after the attack) did everything she could to protect her child
She was hospitalised with severe bruises to her face and all over her head and told her story on social media urging people not to be indifferent to those who call for help
Her son Zakhar constantly cries and is receiving counselling following the horrific experience. He says: ‘Mom, forgive me for not protecting you’
Police launched a criminal case for battery and attempted rape against the man, who was taken in custody.
He faces up to eight years in prison if found guilty and an investigation is ongoing.
Anastasia Lugova was hospitalised with severe bruises to her face and all over her head.
The host told her story on her social media urging people not to be indifferent to those who call for help.
Her son Zakhar is receiving counselling following the horrific experience.
Anastasia said: ‘My son cannot stop crying and constantly repeats: ”Mom, forgive me for not protecting you”.’