A Russian-speaking man verbally and physically attacked a Ukrainian-speaking family with a child on a train in Switzerland, threatening them with death. The incident has drawn a reaction from Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).

Source : European Pravda, citing Swiss media outlet 20Minuten; Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhii Tykhyi

Details : The incident occurred on 13 October on a train travelling from the Swiss municipality of Interlaken to the town of Spiez. It sparked wide attention on social media.

According to the people who were affected, the assailant was provoked by hearing them speak Ukrainian.

"When he heard we were speaking Ukrainian, he began insulting us," said the father of the family, whose parents are originally from Belarus.

The mother recorded the attack on video and posted it on social media. The Russian-speaking man repeatedly threatened the family with death.

"I will kill you all – you and your family," he said.

He also snatched the phone from the woman when she tried to document the incident.

The father pushed him away, after which he calmed down. At Spiez station, the family and several witnesses reported the assault to the police.

Bern Canton police confirmed that the incident took place, but noted that no one was physically injured to the extent of needing medical treatment. The investigation is ongoing. Both the victims and the attacker intend to file complaints.

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry has reacted to the incident. Tykyi called the video "appalling".

"Unacceptable hate speech and ethnic hatred. We approached Swiss law enforcement asking them to investigate the incident and ensure accountability. Such conduct must not be tolerated," he said.

Background : In February, it was reported that Prague authorities were investigating a tram driver who attacked a family of Ukrainians with a small child, supposedly for staining a seat, and forcibly drove them off public transport.

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