German authorities are investigating an incident in which a Russian man allegedly threw a 10-year-old Ukrainian boy off a bridge for speaking his native language.
The police suspect that the attack was politically motivated, as tensions have been rising against Ukrainian refugees in Germany since the start of the conflict. According to the Telegraph, over a million Ukrainian refugees have sought asylum in Germany since March 2022.
The incident occurred in Einbeck, Lower Saxony, when the Russian man, believed to be in his 40s, approached a group of children sitting on a bridge. Upon hearing them speak Ukrainian, he admonished them, insisting they should be speaking Russian.
He also claimed that Ukrainians were responsible for starting the war. The man then reportedly pulled the hair of a young girl before throwing the 10-year-old boy over the bridge's five-meter railing and into the canal, according to authorities.
During the fall, the boy struck the bridge's iron girders before landing in the water. The assailant further hurled a glass bottle at the boy while he was in the canal, hitting him on the shoulder. The man quickly fled the scene, leaving the other children to help the injured boy out of the water. The children promptly informed their parents about the incident.
Fortunately, the young boy suffered only minor injuries and was successfully rescued from the canal. The report highlights an increase in attacks against Ukrainians in Germany following Berlin's decision to provide greater support to Kyiv, including increased weaponry and the acceptance of Ukrainian refugees.
Supporters of Russian President Vladimir Putin and other Russians residing in Germany have expressed skepticism towards the aid Germany is providing to Ukraine, believing it favors the wrong side. The Telegraph recounted a recent incident in Frankfurt where Ukrainian students woke up to find the letter Z, a symbol associated with Putin's war, scratched onto their dormitory. Some Ukrainians have even considered removing all Ukrainian symbols from their clothing to avoid being targeted by individuals with differing political views.
Germany is home to an estimated 3.5 million ethnic Russians, making it the largest population of Russians in the Western world. The extent of the United States' future support for Ukraine in the ongoing conflict remains uncertain. While some argue for withholding support, including conservatives, others believe it is the best approach to resolving the conflict.
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