Two Russian crew members were ambushed, beaten, and robbed by a group of men in the early hours of Thursday morning in the heart of St. John’s, in a violent attack that has left one sailor hospitalised with serious injuries and sent a troubling message about safety in the capital — particularly for the visiting mariners and tourists who are central to the nation’s economy.
Police investigations indicate that the incident occurred around 1:20 a.m. on June 4 along Popeshead Street. Authorities were alerted after a report was made to the Criminal Investigations Department that a group of assailants had injured two Caucasian men.
First Victim Located at Heritage Quay
Officers responding to the scene discovered a 21-year-old Russian national, Aleksandr Liashev, at Heritage Quay suffering from a facial injury and a wound above his left eyebrow. He told police that he and fellow crew member Vladislav Andronov had been attacked by several men while making their way back to their vessel. Emergency Medical Services treated Liashev at the scene and issued him a medical form, though he declined further hospital treatment.
Second Victim Found Bleeding in Yorks Area
Police subsequently received information about the second victim and located Andronov in the Yorks area, where officers observed multiple bleeding wounds to his head and left arm.
According to Andronov, the two men had been ambushed by a group who beat them with bottles and a piece of wood approximately two centimetres thick. During the assault, the attackers stole his black Calvin Klein backpack containing photocopies of identification documents and US$20 in cash. Emergency Medical Services provided treatment at the scene before transporting Andronov to the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre, where a doctor reported his condition as serious but stable.
Vessel Master Notified
Investigators subsequently contacted the master of the vessel, identified as Russian national Nikolai Turkin, and informed him of the attack and the condition of his crew members.
No Arrests Made
Police conducted searches for the alleged attackers but no arrests have been made. Investigations into the violent assault and robbery are ongoing. The Police Administration condemned the attack as a senseless act of violence and reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of both residents and visitors to the country.
The attack on foreign sailors visiting Antigua and Barbuda is the kind of incident that reverberates well beyond the immediate victims. It comes at a particularly sensitive moment — on the same day that a young man was stabbed outside a phone store on St. Mary’s Street, adding to a pattern of violent incidents in St. John’s that is drawing growing public concern about safety in the capital.
For a nation whose economic lifeblood depends on its reputation as a safe and welcoming destination for sailors, yachtspeople, cruise passengers, and tourists, incidents of this nature demand swift resolution and visible accountability.
Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is asked to contact the Criminal Investigations Department at 462-3913 or 462-3914, or report anonymously through Crimestoppers at 800-TIPS (8477).
