The ten minute duel, in the Sverdlovsk region, in central Russia, left unarmed Alexander Lopukhin, 44, 'convinced he would die'
The ten minute forest duel, in Sverdlovsk region, central Russia, left unarmed Alexander Lopukhin, 44, 'convinced he would die'.
But in a final bid to stay alive he grabbed the bear by the head with one hand and punched its muzzle with the other.
The mother bear with a cub nearby sat down stunned after the man's attack, and then retreated.
With blood pouring from his wounds, and the tip of his nose almost severed, Mr Lopukhin then walked four miles through the forest until his phone came back within coverage and he could summon help.
He said he had come across bears previously while picking mushrooms, but never faced an attack.
He added: 'These animals do not attack people unless they are touched or provoked. But, of course, there are exceptions.
