A Family from Chernihiv Finds Refuge in a Home Built to Honor a Fallen Rabbi's Son

Escaping a Drone Strike

According to Главком: Olena and Anatolii, a couple from the town of Semenivka near the Russian border in the Chernihiv region, narrowly escaped disaster. They had evacuated their home just before a Russian drone struck their courtyard. The attack blew out the windows and doors of their house, but the family avoided serious injury by leaving in time. For nine months, they had lived in a village in Chernihiv region with their mothers, aged 100 and 90, before the strike forced them to seek safety elsewhere.

They have now found shelter in an apartment building in the Jewish town of Anatevka. This building was constructed by Ukraine's Chief Rabbi, Moshe Reuven Asman, as a memorial to his son, Matityahu (Anton) Samborskyi, who was killed fighting for Ukraine. The ongoing war has created a severe humanitarian crisis, displacing millions of Ukrainians from frontline areas.

A New Beginning in Anatevka

The home in Anatevka now provides refuge for the families of fallen soldiers, large families, and Ukrainians who have lost their homes due to Russian aggression. For Olena and Anatolii, it represents a symbol of memory and support for those who have suffered loss during the war.

Matityahu (Anton) Samborskyi, the son of Ukraine's Chief Rabbi who died on August 24, 2024, was posthumously awarded the Cross of the Hero of Ukraine. His funeral was held at the Central Synagogue in Kyiv.

This story reflects the harsh realities of war faced by Ukrainian families and demonstrates how communities unite to support those who have lost everything. The situation encountered by Olena and Anatolii's family is just one of countless examples of the consequences of Russian aggression in Ukraine, underscoring the critical role of local communities in providing aid during this crisis.