The life of Olena Drobotia was taken by the shelling of Novoselydivka in the Pokrovskyi district around 15 November 2024.
She was sheltering in the basement of a residential building together with her relatives and neighbours. One of the neighbours went outside and was killed. When others later came out and tried to bury the man, another barrage began. Seven people were killed, including Olena’s daughter Tetiana, her father Mykola, and their neighbour Tetiana Cherepnia.
Olena Drobotia was 51 years old. She was born in Novoselydivka. She had a vocational secondary education and worked as a cleaner in a school.
“Students called her Aunt Lena. They loved her, and she loved them. There were no ‘other people’s children’ for her — she would hug and comfort each one. Olena also graduated from our school… Hard-working, kind, polite — that’s how we all knew her. Very diligent. She had plenty of work but never complained. She raised three children on her own,” said Nataliia Verkhovska, principal of Novoselydivka Gymnasium.
At 9:00 — the nationwide moment of silence. Donetsk Regional Military Administration and the Memorial platform: those killed by Russia commemorate the residents of Donetsk region killed by Russians.