Tragedy Strikes in Kharkiv Region
On October 13, a fatal car accident occurred in the Kharkiv region, claiming the life of Olga Krivogub. Earlier this year, Olga endured profound personal loss when a Russian strike hit Bohodukhiv in February, killing her husband and three children. At the time, she was 35 weeks pregnant and later gave birth to her daughter, Kateryna, on March 11.
Accident Details
The crash took place around 5:30 PM on the road connecting Nova Vodolaha, Vilkhuvatka, Rokytne, and Moke Rokytne, near the settlement of Nova Vodolaha. Olga, driving a Ford Focus, lost control of the vehicle, veered onto the right shoulder, and collided with a tree. She died en route to the hospital in an ambulance. Two others were injured, including her seven-month-old daughter Kateryna, who was hospitalized with a fractured rib, lung contusions, and abrasions. A 34-year-old male passenger also sustained injuries and was admitted to the hospital unconscious.
The incident has been registered under Article 286, Part 2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, initiating a formal investigation. After the deadly attack in Bohodukhiv, Olga relocated to Nova Vodolaha with support from charitable donors, purchasing a home and a car. She and her husband Hryhoriy raised three children: twin sons and a daughter. Hryhoriy was a war veteran who had suffered severe injuries, including the loss of part of his leg. The family had moved into their new home in Bohodukhiv just one day before the Russian strike. Olga herself sustained explosive injuries, including a traumatic brain injury, concussion, and burns during that attack.
Following Olga’s death, two relatives have expressed intentions to become guardians of her daughter Kateryna: Olga’s sister and the brother of Kateryna’s late father. Oleksandr Yesin, the father’s brother, stated,
"There are two people willing to take custody of the child: Olga’s sister and her late father’s brother."Kateryna was baptized two months after her birth.
This heartbreaking story highlights the devastating ripple effects of the war in Ukraine on civilian families. Olga Krivogub’s passing is a tragic reminder that the conflict continues to claim lives in multiple ways—both directly and indirectly. The future care and safety of young Kateryna remain a serious concern amid ongoing instability and the loss of her immediate family.