Rocket strike on a hospital in Zaporizhzhia: the story of nurse Elena Kukarskykh

The story of Elena Kukarskykh

According to Міністерство Здоров'я: Recently, it has been exactly a year since a Russian rocket hit a private ophthalmology center in Zaporizhzhia. A nurse who dedicated her whole life to helping people was inside the building. This story is about Elena Kukarskykh, one of the Ukrainian medical professionals executed due to Russian aggression.

Elena Kukarskykh was born on January 26, 1976, in the city of Nova Kakhovka, Kherson region. After finishing school, she moved to Zaporizhzhia, where she entered a medical college. After completing her studies, Elena returned to her hometown, where she worked as a nurse in a hospital and clinic until the war began.

“She could not be without people, she could not not help them. She considered it her duty... She said: 'You know, I care about everyone, after all, everyone comes with their own pain, problem. I can't be any other way.'”

On December 10, 2024, Zaporizhzhia city once again became a target of enemy shelling when a rocket struck the medical facility where Elena worked. As a result of this strike, Sister Elena and 10 other people died, and another 22 were injured. Among the deceased were 4 employees of the medical facility.

Eternal and bright memory to Elena Kukarskykh and all those whose lives were taken by Russian aggression. A project titled 'Illumination of Memory' has been created in collaboration with the National Scientific Medical Library of Ukraine and regional partners to preserve the memory of the fallen medical workers. If you know of a medical worker who died on the front lines or in peacetime, please send information to the email address: [email protected] with the subject 'Illumination of Memory.'

The described story of Elena Kukarskykh reflects the real consequences of the war in modern eastern Ukraine and emphasizes the importance of honoring the memory and recognizing the victims of medical professionals.