The mother of a Ukrainian model who was found with horrific injuries on the side of the road has shared her thoughts.
Maria Kovalchuk was found in Dubai. Credit: Instagram / ae3marylu
Maria Kovalchuk, 20, reportedly told friends she was heading to a party with two men who introduced themselves as modeling agents on March 9.
Days later, she was supposed to fly to Thailand — but never made her flight. She wasn’t seen or heard from until March 19, when she was discovered bloodied and unconscious on a roadside in Dubai, per the Daily Mail.
Her injuries were devastating. She had a broken spine, shattered limbs, and she was unable to speak. According to reports from Russian news outlets Shot and Life, she had allegedly been “dumped” there.
Maria was rushed to hospital in critical condition, where she has since undergone four life-saving surgeries.
Her mother, Anna, flew from Norway to be with her daughter and has been posting updates on her condition, per News.com.au.
“She is getting medical treatment and everything will be all right,” she wrote. But the full picture of what happened remains murky — and deeply disturbing.
“There is an assumption that she went to a party, but the promoter who organised these parties did not see her,” Anna posted. “Maria was eventually found in hospital in serious condition. She has no documents, no phone, nothing. She underwent three, now four, operations. And she cannot speak.”
The model was found gravely injured in Dubai. Credit: Andrew Aitchison / In pictures via Getty Images
Dubai police confirmed Maria’s hospitalization and claimed her injuries are the result of an accidental fall.
“A comprehensive investigation has revealed that she sustained serious injuries after entering a restricted construction site alone and falling from a height,” police said in a statement.
“Dubai Police continue to work closely with the family and relevant authorities to provide all necessary assistance.”
They added: “The public and media are urged to refrain from sharing unverified information and to respect the privacy of the individual and her family during this challenging time.”
But Maria’s family reportedly told Russian media that they do not believe this explanation. “She cannot comment because of the investigation,” Anna told press.
Instead, growing speculation suggests that Maria may have been targeted in a terrifying sex trafficking operation — possibly connected to so-called “Porta Potty” parties, where wealthy men pay huge sums to lure influencers and OnlyFans models to Dubai for degrading and abusive acts.
Some of these events are alleged to involve extreme abuse and even bodily harm.
Lawyer Katya Gordon issued a stark warning, telling The Sun: “The model was found dying on the side of the road in the UAE after a party with Arab sheiks. The scandal with the Porta Potty parties has been raging for over a year.
“There are videos circulating on the internet where sheiks allegedly beat girls, cut their hair and do all sorts of other things to them. Girls, women, and their mothers! Don’t go to such events for money – you could even get killed.”
Maria’s ordeal has sparked international outcry and raised serious questions about the safety of young models and influencers.
