A troubling incident in St. Petersburg involved a taxi driver who attacked a pregnant woman and a young child, as reported by the Telegram channel “78. News.” The report describes an event that occurred late at night in the parking area of the City Mall shopping and entertainment complex on Kolomyazhsky Boulevard. After bringing a pregnant woman and a five-year-old child to a designated address, the driver allegedly discharged pepper spray toward them. The motive behind the confrontation remains unclear, and there is no official confirmation yet regarding the victim’s statements to law enforcement.
The person affected by the assault was identified as the spouse of a mixed martial arts fighter. The fighter, who has competed professionally since 2019, was not connected to any public statements about the incident at the time of the report. The situation raises questions about the safety of pedestrians and passengers in urban parking areas and underscores the importance of reporting suspicious behavior to authorities promptly. The incident is being treated as a possible assault, and investigators may review surveillance footage, witness testimonies, and other sources to determine what transpired and to assess any applicable charges or protective measures for those involved.
In another development, traffic police in Zlatoust, located in the Chelyabinsk region, detained a man for stealing a taxi while the driver slept inside the vehicle. Administrative protocols were issued for offenses such as driving while intoxicated and failing to comply with a police request. Following a court ruling, the detainee was held for 19 days, and authorities opened a criminal case related to theft. This case highlights issues of vehicle security, driver promptness in reporting theft, and the role of police in preventing and addressing urgent threats to public safety while on duty in busy urban environments.
Earlier reports also described a Moscow incident in which a taxi driver with a criminal record attacked and robbed a intoxicated passenger, according to police statements. Each event underscores a broader concern about safety within urban transportation networks and the need for stringent screening, on‑board security measures, and timely police response to safeguard riders and drivers in major cities across the region.