The life of Yulia Kropotova was taken by a Russian shelling of Dobropillia on July 16, 2025. The enemy struck a shopping center with a 500-kilogram aerial bomb. Yulia sustained a fatal shrapnel wound to the head.
She was 44 years old. Originally from the village of Chervonyi Lyman in Pokrovskyi district, she lived and worked in the town of Rodynske. Yulia loved her job as a miner. Later, during the full-scale war, she moved to Dobropillia.
In her free time, Yulia enjoyed cooking, spending time with her daughter, and cherished their conversations. When the family got a dog named Ron, he became her true joy. She cared for him, cooked, and looked after his health.
“Before and during the full-scale war, she worked at the mine. I remember when in 2024 the power was cut off in Rodynske, my mother went to work for a month without receiving any salary. I scolded her then, saying, why waste your strength for nothing? But she kept working dutifully — because that’s what the management told her. Mom was kind and bright. She forgave everyone, no matter how much pain they caused. You didn’t even have to ask for help — she was already there,” her daughter Liliya recalled.
On July 16, 2025, at 5:00 p.m., Liliya was at work when her mother’s friend called. He had been with Yulia in the “Avrora” store.
“He said there was a strike and he didn’t know where mom was… My whole life flashed before my eyes, goosebumps all over, cold sweat. I screamed into the phone while rushing to the site of the tragedy. I ran to everyone — police, medics — asking about mom, describing her, searching. I prayed to God that she wasn’t under the rubble. But at 8:20 p.m., they retrieved the body of the second victim — and it was my mom,” her daughter recounted.
“My mom and I were one whole: I was so happy I could come home from work, hug her, tell her how much I loved her, go for a walk, or take a weekend trip with her… I miss my mom so much,” Liliya added.
Yulia Kropotova is survived by her daughter, parents, and sister.
During the shelling, her beloved dog Ron was beside her, and she managed to shield him with her body.
At 9:00 a.m. — the nationwide minute of silence. The Donetsk Regional Military Administration and the Memorial platform: Killed by Russia honor the residents of Donetsk region killed by Russia.