"We kept hoping until the very end": Sofiia, 4, and her mother confirmed dead after Russian attack on Ternopil

Four-year-old Sofiia Popyk and her mother Tetiana, who was 35, have been confirmed killed in the Russian missile strike on Ternopil on 19 November.

Source: Ukrainska Pravda.Zhyttia (Life)

Details: The deaths of Sofiia and Tetiana, who had previously been listed as missing, were confirmed to Ukrainska Pravda.Zhyttia by a relative, Yuliia Yushkevych.

Svitlana Humenna, a member of Ternopil District Council, said: "We kept on hoping until the very end. They searched for Sofiika – there was a tiny drop of hope. For everyone… Especially for Yuliia Yushkevych, a family member.

She was the one who informed the police and anyone who could help to get the word out so that the child's whereabouts could be established as quickly as possible."

Tetiana had a senior role in the finance and administration section of the Capital Construction Department at Ternopil Oblast State Administration. She was on maternity leave at the time of the attack.

The family lived on the eighth floor of an apartment building that was destroyed by the Russians. The child's body was identified by her father, while Tetiana's identity was confirmed by DNA testing.

Iryna, who knew the family, told local outlet 20 Khvylyn: "We've known the father, Roman, for a very long time – we grew up in the same neighbourhood. And we knew Tania as well – my sister lived in that building. They only moved in recently, three years ago. They were a lovely family, very calm. They wanted some kind of future. There is no future."

The funeral of Sofiia's grandmother, Halyna Matskiv, took place at the Church of the Archangel Michael on 25 November. She was 54.

"[Sofiia] was little when Halyna used to take her out for walks," Myroslava, who was at school with Halyna, told local media outlet Ternopoliany. "I'd look into the pram and she would smile. I said: 'Halyna, she never cries.' 'No, she doesn't cry.' You see, three generations have been wiped out. Three generations have been wiped out and killed."

Tetiana's son was injured on 19 November. He was rescued.

Background: Five people had been considered missing after the Russian strike on Ternopil. The confirmed death toll from the attack has now risen to 38, including eight children aged between 1 and 17.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!