Tragic Loss of Ukrainian Citizens in Israel Due to Iranian Missile Attack: Heartbreaking Details and International Reactions
In the Israeli city of Bat-Yam, memorial services were held for five Ukrainians who lost their lives during a missile strike on June 14, caused by an Iranian attack. This tragedy marked another devastating chapter in the ongoing regional conflict, deeply resonating within the Ukrainian community. The funeral ceremony took place directly at the site of the missile’s impact, symbolizing both respect for the victims and a stand for justice. The youngest victim was eight-year-old Nastya Burik, who had arrived in Israel in 2022 seeking treatment for leukemia. She was accompanied by her mother, Maria Peshkureva, 30 years old, and her grandmother, Olena Sokolova, 54 years old. Sadly, among the deceased were also her two cousins: Ilya Peshkurev, 14, and Kostiantyn Tutevych, 10. This tragedy has touched an entire family and serves as a grim testament to the brutality of the Iran-Israel conflict. Israel’s Foreign Ministry expressed its sorrow, describing the incident as 'eternal memory for innocent victims of Tehran’s war crimes.' Nastya’s father, Artem Burik, who currently serves in the 95th brigade in Sumy, shared his emotions in an interview, revealing that he has been fighting for Ukraine since early 2022 and was on the frontlines at the time of the tragedy. His news about the death of his loved ones came as a shock while he was engaged in military duties. Artem explained that he decided to have Nastya and Maria cremated and their ashes sent to Ukraine to ease the emotional burden and avoid viewing the mutilated bodies found under the rubble. He expressed gratitude for the support from his commanders, who granted him leave to handle the funeral arrangements and recover from the shock. Despite the enormous pain, he emphasized his desire to stay mentally strong amid these circumstances. The incident follows Israel’s retaliatory strike on Iran’s nuclear and military facilities on June 13, prompting Tehran to shelled Israeli cities in response. Subsequently, the United States joined the campaign, and a ceasefire was agreed upon last week, although Iran remains uncertain about its durability, wary of further escalation.