Valeriia Maksetska, 31, was slain in a Russian attack after refusing to leave Ukraine after Russia declared war. Valeriia, a skilled medic, was on her way to get medicine for her sick mother when she was slain by Russian troops outside Kyiv. While Veleriia, her mother, and their driver were pulling over to let a Russian convoy pass, a Russian tank opened fire on them. Valeriia was employed by the United States Agency for International Development.
In a statement, Samantha Power said, “I’m enormously sad to share the death of Valeriia ‘Lera’ Maksetska – proud Ukrainian, beloved USAID implementing partner & brilliant, compassionate leader on building social cohesion and fighting disinformation. She was killed by the Russian military just shy of her 32nd birthday.”
She added, “She survived the shelling of Donetsk, moved to Kyiv, and started working with USAID – where she became beloved as ‘a brave woman with a kind heart. Lera, a trained medic, could’ve left Kyiv when the invasion began, but stayed to help others.”
“We celebrate her fierce dedication to Ukraine and joyful spirit. As Lera wrote when Kyiv was attacked, she was angry at the awful violence ‘but so proud to be a Ukrainian and live someplace where beliefs matter’,” she said.
Valeriia Maksetska was born in Donetsk and raised there. She had been involved in humanitarian efforts since Russia’s invasion of the Crimean Peninsula in 2014.
WAR OF RUSSIA-UKRAINE
On February 24, Russia invaded Ukraine and launched airstrikes across the country. The fighting has resulted in a catastrophic refugee crisis and the deaths of hundreds of civilians in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Ukraine claims that over 12,000 Russian troops have been killed in the conflict thus far.
