Nurse who cared for elderly people and helped animals among those killed in Komyshuvakha attack

Iryna Fokina, a local nurse who helped people and cared for animals, was killed in Russia's attack on Komyshuvakha in Zaporizhzhia Oblast on 2 November.

Source: Suspilne Zaporizhzhia

Details: Iryna's funeral was held on 10 November.

Iryna worked as an anaesthetic nurse and visited elderly and ill people in need every day. She made sure they took their medication and whenever possible helped them obtain medicines and prepared food for them.

A Polish medical and rescue organisation, NZOZ Śląska Misja Medyczna KKN, wrote of Iryna in 2023: "When she said goodbye, she would tell her patients: 'I'll come and see you this evening to check that everything is all right.' And she would say this to every one of them. That was Iryna – a quiet heroine."

In addition, Iryna worked every day at a local canteen, where she prepared food for residents. She also helped care for local animals.

The Affordable Neutering initiative said: "We only spent 10 days with her, but that was enough to understand what an extraordinary yet modest person she was – an unsung hero, unknown to the wider public.

Iryna helped us wholeheartedly during our mission and treated every animal with love. She was this quiet source of care that surrounded both the animals and us. She was a very peaceful and kind person who helped others and cared for animals and her community."

Affordable Neutering added that last winter they had helped Iryna replace her car tyres because the tread had almost completely worn away. Despite having the opportunity to leave for a safer place, Iryna stayed to continue helping those in need.

Background:

• On 2 November, Russian forces carried out several airstrikes on a school in Komyshuvakha where local residents had gathered to receive humanitarian aid.
• A repeat attack followed the first, hitting the shelter where people were taking cover.
• As of 9 November, 55 people were known to have been killed, but only 30 had been identified. Among the victims were local residents, police officers and State Emergency Service employees.
• During search and rescue operations at the site, where 19 people may still be trapped under the rubble, the Russians attacked State Emergency Service personnel with a drone. The rescue workers were unharmed, but equipment was damaged in the strike.

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