Valentyna Boiko, 68, was killed by a Russian strike on September 9, 2025, in the village of Yarova, Kramatorsk district, Donetsk region. She was standing in line to receive her pension when the enemy struck civilians with a guided aerial bomb (KAB).
Valentyna was born and lived her entire life in Yarova. At the age of 18, she became an orphan. She raised her son and daughter on her own. She worked as a seamstress-machine operator and later, for 30 years — until the beginning of the full-scale war — as a cleaner at the local school. She deeply loved animals and had a dog and 12 cats.
“She was sincere and decent; everyone loved her. She raised wonderful children on her own. Until the very end, she cared deeply about them. Her son Artur is at war. He says he will avenge his mother,” her daughter-in-law Olena shared. “I love her very much and miss her dearly.”
Valentyna lived alone, while her son and his partner Olena lived separately in the village.
On September 9, 2025, Valentyna went to the center of Yarova to receive her pension at a mobile branch of Ukrposhta. At around 10:40 a.m., Russian forces dropped an aerial bomb on the line of civilians. Twenty-five people were killed.
Valentyna Boiko was laid to rest on September 12 in Yarova. She is survived by her son and daughter.
At 9:00 a.m. — a nationwide minute of silence. The Donetsk Regional Military Administration and the Memorial platform: killed by Russia — remember the residents of Donetsk region killed by Russians.