A message reading “You may say goodbye to Dasha and Katya,” which the live-in lover sent to the girls’ mother minutes before the tragedy, as well as witness testimonies, are the key pieces of evidence in the case investigated as an attempted murder of two or more persons.

Meanwhile, Zakharkin insists he is innocent. “I was sleeping when [the girls’ mother] came to me and said: Look outside the window! The girls were already there,” said Zakharkin. He also claims the woman didn’t bother looking after the girls and that it was him who was taking care of them.

Investigators say an emotional disorder may be behind the man’s actions and that Zakharkin could have been irresponsible on that night.

The two girls are currently in hospital with one of them in a grave condition. She has a concussion, five broken ribs, a ruptured liver and retroperitoneal bleeding. The medics also suspect she has a damaged spine.

Her sister has avoided serious injuries. Doctors describe her condition as moderate. She has a ruptured spleen, but does not need surgery.

Meanwhile, the girls’ former neighbours from the city of Vladivostok, where Dasha and Katya lived before moving to Moscow, have collected more than $1,000 for the girls’ treatment.

“Neighbours, friends and other people, who didn’t even know the girls, gave money,” a woman responsible for that told RIA. Half of the sum was sent to Moscow by a postal bank transfer, while the rest of the money was given to the girls’ father.

Read – Military Man Throws Two Sleeping Kids Out of Window Because of Jealousy