Russia TV Reporter Sucker Punched During Live Broadcast

A video of a drunk man punching a Russian TV journalist in the face during a segment on Paratroopers’ Day celebrations is going viral.

Nikita Razvozzhayev, a correspondent with Russian news channel NTV, was confronted Wednesday by the intoxicated man in Gorky Park, Moscow’s most popular recreational area, according to a report in the Telegraph.

In the video, the attacker can be seen interrupting Razvozzhayev’s live report by walking into the camera frame and shouting (in Russian) “This is our country! We will conquer Ukraine!”

Razvozzhayev can be heard politely asking the man to be quiet; instead, the man decked him in the face.

The broadcast then switched back to the studio, where the anchor told viewers that there were “problems” on the ground, before saying she hoped her colleague was ok.  

On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump signed a bill expanding US sanctions on Russia. The bill prevents him from acting unilaterally to remove certain sanctions on Russia and adds sanctions against Russia, Iran and North Korea. The bill passed both chambers of Congress with overwhelming bipartisan support, increasing the probability that Congress would vote to override should Trump veto the bill.

However, in a signing statement attached to the bill, Trump criticized the legislation as “flawed,” saying he would sign it “with reservations” about its impact and the constitutionality of some provisions.

Back in February, during her first appearance as UN Ambassador, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, slammed Russia’s backing of rebels in Eastern Ukraine, saying that while the US would like to improve relations with Russia, “the dire situation in eastern Ukraine is one that demands clear and strong condemnation of Russian actions.” Russia has blamed the escalation on the Ukrainians.

The controversial sanctions bill is already straining the relationship between the US and one of its staunchest allies, the European Union.

Germany and Austria, two of Russia’s biggest energy clients in Europe, criticized the bill shortly after it passed the Senate in a 98-2 vote, saying they could affect European businesses involved in piping in Russian natural gas. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said Wednesday that the EU is ready to retaliate should the sanctions against Russia affect European companies, according to Bloomberg.

Circling back to the assault, the Telegraph reported that it wasn’t immediately clear whether the reporter’s injury was serious. The attacker, whose name wasn’t released, has been arrested. Police are investigating the incident. Paratroopers Day is meant to celebrate veterans and active duty airborne servicemen.

Judging by the footage, the reporter maintained his poise while absorbing the blow, which was remarkable.

We wonder: Do Russian journalism schools teach students how to take a sucker punch?

Or maybe this drunk buffoon just doesn’t know how to throw one.