This is the moment a Russian bus driver beats up a boisterous burly man in front of stunned passengers after he apparently tried to headbutt him.

The incident was filmed in the city of Vladivostok in the far-eastern Russian region of Primorsky Krai, bordering with North Korea, on 6th November.

Over the weekend, some Russian reports said the bus driver allegedly assaulted a passenger because he was offended by the earring he was wearing as well as the long hair of his pal.

However, the driver, named as Ruben Mnoyan, told the news site Smotrim that the incident took place because two men were misbehaving and bothering other passengers, and not because of their appearance.

He said they were sitting at the back of the bus being loud and boisterous, and that other passengers were made to feel uncomfortable and started getting off.

He added that he went over to the pair and asked them to behave themselves, but they reacted angrily and an altercation ensued.

The bus driver claimed that one of the men tried to headbutt him during the discussion, leading to the brawl.

He said other passengers were unwilling to get involved at first, but ended up helping him throw the unruly passengers off the bus.

Meanwhile, local authorities have confirmed that they are aware of the filmed incident and spoke with the driver, concluding that the two men provoked the fight.

It is unclear if the police are investigating the matter and plan to charge any of the suspects.