Latvian Man Detained in Switzerland After Assaulting Ukrainian Family Over Language

Swiss police have detained a Latvian man after he attacked a Ukrainian-speaking family on a train from Interlaken to Spiez on Oct. 13, authorities and witnesses said.

According to the family, the 42-year-old man, identified as Aleksandrs Vabiks, became aggressive after overhearing Olena Dudnik speaking Ukrainian with her husband.

Dudnik, who posted a video of the incident on Instagram, said the man insulted and threatened the family, struck her husband, and used profanities.

“I was traveling with my husband and our son (1 year, 10 months) on the train, and we sat across from these ‘people,’ if you can call them people! The conflict started because this person heard me talking to my husband in Ukrainian! My husband was born in Switzerland, has Swiss citizenship, and understands Ukrainian perfectly, while his parents are originally from Belarus,” Dudnik wrote.

She added: “Then there was physical assault, a fight, and the police were called! I want this situation to be made public. I am counting on the Swiss police and authorities, because the next Ukrainian family could be in our place!”

Other Instagram users commented on the video, saying they recognized the man. Rada Radmilevich wrote that Vabiks is from Riga, Latvia, lives in Zurich, and may have multiple social media accounts.

Another user, Elvira, said Vabiks attacked her family at the Bern train station Lidl in June 2025, threatening Ukrainians, frightening children, and using vulgar language.

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The Bern canton police confirmed the incident and said Vabiks was detained – with authorities noting he does not hold Swiss citizenship.

Ukrainian mainstream and social media reports indicate Vabiks had previously threatened other women with physical violence and sexual assault. His partner is a Ukrainian woman from Odesa with refugee status in Switzerland.

Open-source intelligence sources, including the project Molfar, report that Vabiks has a history of aggressive behavior toward Ukrainian speakers. He has posted photos wearing a T-shirt reading “Russia in my heart” and a matryoshka tattoo on his arm.

He studied at the London College of Computing and Management Sciences and Canterbury Christ Church University and has reportedly worked as a cook.

Swiss authorities said they are investigating the case.