Renowned Ukrainian Writer Victoria Amelina Killed in Russian Strike on Eastern Ukraine

Ukrainian Writer Victoria Amelina Dies in Russian Strike on Restaurant

Prominent Ukrainian writer Victoria Amelina tragically passed away on Saturday due to injuries sustained during a Russian strike on a bustling restaurant in eastern Ukraine. The 37-year-old writer had been receiving treatment at Mechnikov Hospital in Dnipro, Ukraine, according to PEN Ukraine, a freedom-of-expression advocacy group of which she was a member. Amelina was dining with a group of Colombian writers and journalists at a pizza restaurant in the city of Kramatorsk during the attack on June 27. The Colombian visitors suffered minor injuries.

Amelina was well-known for her literary works, including her novels “Fall Syndrome” and “Dom’s Dream Kingdom,” both of which focused on contemporary Ukraine, as well as her contributions to children’s literature. She was recognized for her talent and received the Joseph Conrad Literary Award in 2021. Additionally, she was a finalist for the European Union Prize for Literature in 2019. Amelina’s forthcoming English-language nonfiction work, “War and Justice Diary: Looking at Women Looking at War,” explores the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

In an interview earlier this year with Chytomo, a literary website, Amelina expressed her struggle to write in Ukrainian, stating that she found it easier to write in English during difficult times. She believed that writing in a foreign language provided a certain distance and perspective.

PEN Ukraine released a statement expressing their condolences and acknowledging the efforts made by doctors and paramedics to save Amelina’s life. Unfortunately, her injuries were fatal and incompatible with life. Her loved ones were by her side during her final days.

Amelina’s death brings the total number of fatalities from the attack to 13, with dozens of others wounded. Tragically, three children were among the deceased.

The restaurant, Ria Lounge, was located just miles from the front lines and was a popular spot for international journalists, aid workers, and locals. The attack reduced the restaurant to rubble, with debris and blood scattered throughout the area.

The strike occurred during a counteroffensive by Ukraine to reclaim territory seized by Russia. Ukrainian officials have repeatedly accused the Kremlin of intentionally targeting civilian areas to sow chaos and undermine the nation’s morale. Western officials have joined Kyiv in condemning these actions as war crimes.

Amelina, originally from the western city of Lviv, had pursued education in Canada before returning to Ukraine. She obtained a graduate degree in computer technology and worked in the tech sector before transitioning to a full-time literary career in 2015. When the war broke out, she focused her writing on documenting alleged war crimes during the invasion, collaborating with the investigative group Truth Hounds.

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has resulted in the deaths of approximately 9,000 Ukrainian civilians since its inception. The Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights estimates that the actual number of fatalities is likely much higher.

Amelina’s tragic passing adds her name to the list of prominent Ukrainians who have lost their lives during the war, including figure skater Dmytro Sharpar and ballet dancers Vadym Khlupianets and Artyom Datsishin.

Amelina had been on vacation in Egypt when the invasion began on February 24, 2022. She subsequently flew to Prague with her son after civilian air travel to Ukraine was suspended. Upon landing in Prague, she emotionally declared to her son, “We are home.” However, her son, who she had left in Poland before returning to Ukraine, responded that they were not yet back home. Amelina replied, “This is Europe.”

The loss of Victoria Amelina serves as a tragic reminder of the devastating impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on innocent lives and the importance of preserving freedom of expression in times of crisis.

How has the literary community reacted to the tragic death of Ukrainian writer Victoria Amelina in the Russian strike on a restaurant?

Ukrainian Writer Victoria Amelina Dies in Russian Strike on Restaurant

The renowned Ukrainian writer Victoria Amelina has sadly passed away in the aftermath of a Russian strike on a bustling restaurant in eastern Ukraine. Amelina, who was a member of PEN Ukraine, a freedom-of-expression advocacy group, had been receiving treatment at Mechnikov Hospital in Dnipro, Ukraine. She was dining with a group of Colombian writers and journalists at a pizza restaurant in Kramatorsk during the attack that took place on June 27. While the Colombian visitors suffered minor injuries, Amelina’s injuries were fatal.

Amelina was highly regarded for her literary works, particularly her novels “Fall Syndrome” and “Dom’s Dream Kingdom,” which revolved around contemporary Ukraine, as well as her contributions to children’s literature. Her talent was widely recognized, and she was awarded the Joseph Conrad Literary Award in 2021. Moreover, Amelina was a 2019 finalist for the European Union Prize for Literature. Her upcoming nonfiction book, “War and Justice Diary: Looking at Women Looking at War,” delves into the Russian invasion of Ukraine and was set to be published in English.

In an interview with Chytomo earlier this year, Amelina shared her struggle to write in Ukrainian, explaining that during difficult times, she found it easier to write in English. She believed that writing in a foreign language offered a certain perspective and distance.

PEN Ukraine released a statement expressing their condolences and acknowledging the efforts of doctors and paramedics who tried to save Amelina’s life. Despite their efforts, her injuries proved to be fatal. During her final days, Amelina was surrounded by loved ones.

Amelina’s death adds to the tragic toll of the attack, which claimed the lives of 13 people and left dozens wounded. Among the deceased were three children.

The restaurant, Ria Lounge, was situated just a few miles from the front lines and was a popular gathering spot for international journalists, aid workers, and locals. The attack reduced the restaurant to rubble, with debris scattered around.