Shocking Video Shows Bloody Cruise Ship Brawl, Woman Whacks Man With Wine Bottle

A Russian woman who hit a fellow cruise ship passenger with a wine bottle on the head has been acquitted by a judge in an Australian court.

The video featuring the cruise ship violence was released Monday as the case came up before the court.

The court ruled that the woman’s violent action during the brawl was a reflex to save her boyfriend from the assault of three people on board P&O Pacific Explorer.

The court ruled Tatiana Baladina, 38, was not guilty for assaulting Jake Russell in February 2018. Dismissing the charges the magistrate said her actions were reasonable when she saw her partner being attacked.

The fight broke out when Russell, 22, a bucks party reveler and his two friends were in a queue outside a bathroom on the ship. When Baladina's boyfriend pushed into the line the three men confronted him and started thrashing.

The scuffle forced the cruise ship to return to Sydney, and Baladina was arrested.

The magistrate noted the Russian national’s action was defensive as she took out the wine bottle from her bag and hit on Russell’s head.

The judge also cleared four of the accused men on the buck's trip from any wrongdoing barring Brody Cooper from Western Sydney. He was ordered a conditional release for the public fighting although no conviction was documented.

According to cruise news, the ship was on a three-night cruise. But the violent brawl caused its hasty return to Sydney. Those involved in the attack were detained in special cells during the return journey.

Camera footage by security personnel showed Russell's head was bleeding profusely after he was hit by the woman. However, Baladina told police she was only protecting her boyfriend thinking that “they were killing him.”

P&O Cruises adding new ships

Meanwhile, P&O Cruises will be adding a new ship Pacific Encounter to its Australian fleet in 2021. The cruise line will also retire two ships Pacific Dawn and Aria.

The 3000-guest Pacific Encounter will be the line’s biggest ship and cruise from Brisbane starting November 2021.

In October 2020, P&O Cruises will also welcome Encounter’s sister-ship Pacific Adventure.

“We embarked on this transformation two years ago, and are committed to refresh the fleet over time and to set the brand up for continued success,” said Sture Myrmell, P&O Cruises President.