20-year-old Ukrainian model and OnlyFans content creator Maria Kovalchuk, who vanished earlier this month in Dubai, has been found critically injured and without identification, her mother confirmed to media outlets on March 19.

Marie Kovalchuk had been missing for 10 days before she was discovered dumped by the side of a road with multiple fractures, including to her spine, arms, and legs.

Maria Kovalchuk, who had traveled to Dubai on February 15 and was working as a model, was last heard from on March 9, when she contacted her mother to say she would be spending the night with two men she had met at a party.

According to reports, the men introduced themselves as representatives of the modeling industry. Maria was scheduled to fly to Thailand on March 11 but never arrived at the airport, prompting her family to report her missing.

According to her mother, Anna Kovalchuk, Maria’s voice during their final conversation was confused, and she expressed unease. After that, she stopped responding to calls and messages. Her mobile phone was turned off, and she missed her flight.

The family feared the worst, with some relatives and friends suspecting Maria may have been kidnapped into sexual slavery, a fear echoed in online forums where models from Eastern Europe shared concerns about similar situations occurring after “parties with local sheikhs.”

On March 19, Maria was located in a Dubai hospital in critical condition, having undergone four surgeries. Her mother reported that Maria was found with no documents or phone, and though she survived, she is unable to speak and can only move her lips.

Russian and Ukrainian media outlets report that Maria was discovered near death on the roadside, and it is unclear how she sustained her injuries. Authorities have yet to publicly comment on the investigation.

Maria had been politically active, participating in rallies abroad, including a protest in Dubai in support of Russian political sociologist Boris Kagarlitsky, recently jailed in Russia for “justifying terrorism.” Whether this activism played a role in her disappearance remains uncertain.

Her friend and fellow model Angelina Doroshenkova, who had also been invited to the March 9 party but returned to Russia before the event, described the situation as “horrific” and said the modeling community is now calling for more awareness and caution.

“We all hope for the best and are very grateful to everyone who took part in the search and helped with information,” Doroshenkova said.

Maria’s condition remains life-threatening, and family and supporters are urging the international community to monitor the case closely. Investigators have not released further details on the circumstances leading to her injuries, and questions about trafficking or abuse remain under investigation.

The case has raised renewed concerns about the exploitation of young women from post-Soviet countries in the Gulf region, especially in connection with the modeling and adult entertainment industries. Some reports suggest that young women are offered hundreds of dollars to attend private events with minimal protections in place.

Maria Kovalchuk’s family is now focused on her recovery and hopes that once she is able to speak, she will be able to shed light on the events that led to her disappearance and near-fatal injuries.