She came to save lives: 20-year-old volunteer Vitalina Yarovenko killed in repeat Russian strike on Kyiv – photos
Vitalina Yarovenko, a 20-year-old student, was killed in Kyiv on the night of 31 July-1 August in a repeat Russian strike, having arrived with a medical battalion to help those injured.
Source: Vitalina's mother Natalia Koretska-Yarovenko; National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, where Vitalina was a student
Details: According to her mother, Vitalina worked in a medical battalion and had begun a night shift on Kyiv's left bank on the night of 31 July-1 August. Russian forces carried out a combined strike, hitting several districts of the capital.
In the Darnytskyi district, Russian missiles struck near residential buildings, killing five people who were running for shelter. When bystanders rushed to help those injured, another missile struck nearby, killing two more.
"I cannot convey the full extent of the pain. Nor can I convey everything she managed to do for our country at just 20 years old. She saved people, taught others and was preparing to defend Kyiv. This should not be happening. The best of our children are dying," Natalia Koretska-Yarovenko wrote.
Vitalina was a fourth-year student at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, studying psychology. She was an instructor at the university's Petro Konashevych-Sahaidachnyi military training programme and also worked at the Federation of Employers of Ukraine.
"She was one of those people who come to help without hesitation, who teach not through words but through their own example, and who always choose to be where their help is needed most," the university said of her.
The military training programme described her as a "person of goodwill".
"Vitalina was one of those people who teach others not through words, but through their own example [...] Her choice that night was the same as it had been throughout her life: to be beside those who needed help, no matter what. Rest in peace, Vitalina. We will remember your courage, your dedication and your heart," the community added.
Her colleagues also expressed their condolences over her death.
"Until her final moment, Vitalina remained true to herself – caring, brave, ready to help those who needed it most. For us, Vitalina will forever remain a cheerful, kind, sincere person whom we loved, valued and respected. Her humanity, dedication, professionalism and great heart will remain in our memory forever," the Federation of Employers said.
Nataliia Liutikova, a public activist and founder of the Doctors for Heroes charitable foundation, said she first met Vitalina back in February 2021, when the girl took part in the project Occupation Through Teenagers' Eyes.
Quote from Liutikova: "I remembered her immediately. Besides her not especially common name, she also stood out in appearance. In a long black coat, with a serious expression, the girl seemed older than her peers.
'Why did you join the project? It's not an easy subject, interviewing people who lived under occupation.'
'I want to be a psychologist, I want to try to help people, to understand someone else's experience. So I can help.'"
Background: The strike on Kyiv on the night of 31 July-1 August claimed the lives of nine people, among them 22-year-old patrol officer Yehor Terekhin, who was helping those injured at the scene of the attack.
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