Died together with her mother near the shelter in Kyiv: what is known about the 9-year-old judoka Victoria

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Viktoriya Ivashko is a nine-year-old girl who died together with her mother as a result of Russian shelling on June 1, 2023 in the Desnyan district of Kyiv. She was a judoka of the “Judo Master” sports club. “UP.Zhyttia” spoke with Diana Khalmatova, the girl’s trainer. She remembers Vika as a kind and brave child who fell in love with judo, trying to surpass her own abilities. Gradually overcoming all difficulties, the athlete made progress. “She did get into a group of more experienced judokas, where she coped with all the difficulties and made progress in judo. (Vika – ed.) really liked training and gatherings,” says the coach. Victoria Ivashko. Photo shared by the President of the Judo Federation of Ukraine Mykhailo Koshlyak/Facebook Halmatova noted that she was personally acquainted with Vika’s mother, who died together with the girl near the shelter. At the same time, the judoka’s father died about two years ago. According to the coach, the family is survived by grandparents who are struggling with the loss. The photo of the girl’s grandfather, who is sitting next to the dead granddaughter’s body, spread on the Internet after the news of the shelling. According to “Suspilne”, the man spent several hours near Vika just on the ground. Later, a chair was brought to him. Photo: Serhii Okunev “(I was familiar – ed.) only with my mother, who also died together with Vika. My father died 1.5-2 years ago, as far as I know. Now I am left with my grandparents. It is very difficult for them. We (the club “Judo.Master” – ed.) have already contacted them and provided (monetary – ed.) assistance,” Diana Khalmatova added. Diana Halmatova is Victoria Ivashko’s coach. President of the Judo Federation of Ukraine Mykhailo Koshlyak, editing for the tragedy, said that since he learned about the news, he “can’t find a place for himself.” “Since yesterday, when I learned this terrible news, I have not been able to find a place for myself. This is very painful for the entire Ukrainian judo family,” Koshlyak emphasized. According to him, as of June 2, 2023, since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion, Ukraine has already lost 300 athletes. “We don’t sleep every night, because endless sirens sound, drones and missiles fly from Russia… Meanwhile, judokas-servicemen of the Russian army take to the world’s mats with the support of the IJF – International Judo Federation (the International Judo Federation – ed.), today ( June 2, 2023 – ed.) they will start at the Dushanbe Grand Prix Olympic qualification tournament. We are burying the children of judokas…” – reproached IJF Mykhailo Koshlyak. Victoria Ivashko. Photo shared by the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine/Facebook The youngest judo world champion and Olympic medalist Daria Bilodid expressed a similar opinion on her Instagram. She addressed the IJF, recalling the tragedy that occurred due to Russian shelling. “Today (June 2, 2023 – ed.) the Grand Prix will start in Dushanbe, where judokas from Russia will take part. Also (June 1 – ed.) in Kyiv, a Russian rocket killed the young judoka Victoria Ivashko and her mother. IJF, are you sure , what are you doing right?” Bilodid wrote. Screenshot from stories by Daria Bilodid/Instagram The Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine said that a week ago Vika won a gold medal, and on June 1 she was killed by a rocket. “She will no longer come to the hall, hug loved ones, win primacy. Vika is no longer there… Only a bright memory of her and a black void of sorrow for every child’s life that the Russians cut short,” the message reads. The club “Judo.Master” also spoke about the tragedy, calling Vika’s death “a loss that cannot be endured.” “An incredible bright child, very calm, brave and cheerful, only she fought last weekend at competitions in the city of Kyiv and won her dream victories and medals, and here such misfortune is grief!” – wrote in the club. Read also: Bath, corridor or bomb shelter: what you need to know about the shelter We will remind that on June 1, three people, including a child, died in Kyiv as a result of a rocket attack. They tried to get to the shelter of the polyclinic in the Desnyan district, but the doors were closed, although the KMVA promised to open all the shelters as early as mid-May. After the tragedy, many Kyiv residents criticized the local authorities, which are responsible for the shelters in the capital, and the editor-in-chief of “Ukrainian Pravda” Sevgil Musaeva called on Mayor Vitaly Klychka to inspect the capital’s shelters together with UP journalists. Later, three petitions related to the safety and availability of shelters during an emergency appeared on the website of electronic petitions in Kyiv. Petition No. 12194 refers to an urgent comprehensive inspection of all shelters in the capital. Read also: To the sounds of explosions: how children in Kyiv ran to shelter with screams during the alarm. VIDEO

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