A London-born woman has died in Ukraine after spending two years volunteering on the frontline (Picture: Facebook)
A British woman who was volunteering as a combat medic in Ukraine shared a powerful final message just one day before she died on Christmas Eve.
Katherine Mielniczuk ‘devoted her life to helping others’ for almost two years since heading to the frontline when Russia launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022.
The 26-year-old, who was born in south London and known as Kasia, risked her life by travelling to the most volatile warzones to use her medical skills to help those in need.
She even earned herself the nickname ‘Apache’ for her brave efforts, providing medical supplies and emergency aid to injured Ukrainian and foreign fighters.
Kasia was found dead in her bed in the early hours of Christmas Eve in eastern Ukraine, her family said on Friday, and her death is not being treated as suspicious.
Less than 24 hours earlier, Kasia had shared a poignant post on Facebook which turned out to be her last.
In the heartbreaking message, she asked her followers to keep volunteers in their thoughts as ‘many of us cannot return home or celebrate Christmas’.
Katherine Mielniczuk, 26, was found dead in Ukraine on Christmas Eve (Picture: Facebook)
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‘The mental, physical, financial consequences of war are catastrophic and a kind word can hold tremendous power for us when we are losing hope and seeing tragedies daily,’ she wrote.
‘We prioritise fighting for a free Ukraine, for a prosperous and fruitful future for Ukrainian children.’
After graduating in chemistry from the University of Bristol, Kasia went on to serve with the 151st unit of the Special Operations Forces.
Her family said she was an ‘inspiration in resilience and grace’ and the ‘kindest and most selfless person one could hope to meet’.
Her family said Kasia’s ‘endless warmth, love and grace she brought to the world will never be lost’ (Picture: Twitter)
‘She devoted her life to helping others, as a medic, as a scientist and researcher, and as a friend,’ they said in a statement issued on Friday.
‘She volunteered her last 18 months in Ukraine, working in logistical aid and as a combat medic all over the country.
‘It is impossible to truly convey what an incredible woman Katherine was or how deeply and widely she was loved and will be missed.
‘Kasia is gone, but the endless warmth, love and grace she brought to the world will never be lost.’
Kasia had earned the nickname ‘Apache’ because of her bravery (Picture: Facebook)
In her last message, Kasia wrote: ‘The mental, physical, financial consequences of war are catastrophic and a kind word can hold tremendous power for us when we are losing hope and seeing tragedies daily’ (Picture: Facebook)
An online fundraiser set up to return her body to the UK has already achieved more than £5,700 of its £10,000 target.
Ukrainian volunteer organisation Project Konstantin said earlier this week: ‘It is with deep regret that we announce the passing away of Katherine Mielniczuk.
‘We learned of this dreadful news a couple of hours ago and after talks with her family, we have offered to help.
‘All we know is that she was discovered in her bed this morning (24 December 2023), the cause of her death at this stage is not being treated as suspicious.
Kasia volunteered as a medic for almost two years (Picture: Facebook)
‘Further information will be released later by the authorities.
‘For now, we’re focusing on the pain that her family is enduring and we’re trying to appease their suffering by affording them the chance to fly out to Ukraine and we want to assist with repatriation costs.’
A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: ‘We are supporting the family of a British woman who died in Ukraine and are in touch with the local authorities.’
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The 26-year-old was found dead on Christmas Eve.