A pro-Vladimir Putin fanatic pushes a Ukraine supporter down steps during a rally

Simeon Boikov posts online as Aussie Cossack and on Tuesday he posted a video on his YouTube channel at a rally when he pushed a pensioner down the stairs in Australia

Mr. Boikov claims he is "a freedom fighter" (

Image: DrewPavlou/Twitter)

A notorious pro-Russian commentator has been charged with assault after video showed him pushing a pro-Ukrainian protester down a series of steps.

The elderly protester was hospitalized after sustaining a head injury in the incident in which Simeon Boikov pushed him.

Mr. Boikov posts online as Aussie Cossack and on Tuesday he posted a video of himself attending the rally at Sydney Town Hall on his YouTube channel.

Features broadcast live from the rally on Boikov's channel show him arguing with protesters after the incident.

"Self-defense. It's filmed," he said.

"It was self-defense on film. He approached me, he grabbed me and I pushed him away."

Boikov was charged with assault causing actual bodily harm (

Picture:

DrewPavlou/Twitter)

The Ukraine supporters are shown in the footage facing the Putin admirer and standing in his way as he tries to flee as the footage then cuts to the man lying on the concrete.< /p>

New South Wales Police said: "Upon arrival, police were advised that a 76-year-old man...