Funeral held for Komyshuvakha nurse killed in Russian airstrike
Iryna Fokina, a dedicated anaesthetic nurse and animal caretaker, was mourned on November 10 following her death in the November 2 attack on a humanitarian aid shelter in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.
By Hassan Ellis ·
The funeral of Iryna Fokina, a local nurse who provided daily care to elderly residents and local animals, was held on November 10. Fokina lost her life on November 2 during a Russian aerial attack on the city of Komyshuvakha in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Colleagues, community members, and organizations that worked with her have described her as a quiet and modest figure who dedicated her life to helping others.
Fokina worked as an anaesthetic nurse and made it a priority to visit ill and elderly people who required assistance. Her daily routine involved ensuring that patients took their prescribed medication. Whenever possible, she also assisted them in obtaining necessary medicines and prepared food for their consumption. Her commitment to patient care extended beyond the medical aspects of her role, focusing heavily on the comfort and well-being of those in her care.
In 2023, the Polish medical and rescue organization NZOZ Śląska Misja Medyczna KKN highlighted her consistent dedication. The organization noted that Fokina would routinely tell her patients, "I'll come and see you this evening to check that everything is all right." They observed that she said this to every single patient, characterizing her as a quiet heroine in the eyes of those she served.
In addition to her nursing duties, Fokina worked every day at a local canteen. There, she prepared meals for residents of the community. Her interests in caring for others also extended to the animal population in Komyshuvakha, where she actively helped in their care and well-being.
The Accessible Sterilisation initiative, which worked with Fokina, shared their memories of her during a recent mission. They stated that although they spent only ten days with her, it was sufficient to recognize her as an extraordinary and modest person. The group described her as an unsung hero who remained largely unknown to the wider public but was deeply valued by her immediate community.
According to the initiative, Fokina supported their mission wholeheartedly and treated every animal with genuine love. They described her as a peaceful and kind source of care that surrounded both the animals and the team members. Her ability to help others while simultaneously caring for animals and her local community defined her character in the eyes of her colleagues.
The organization also recalled a specific incident from the previous winter when they assisted Fokina in replacing her car tyres. The tread on the original tyres had worn away almost completely. Despite having the opportunity to leave Komyshuvakha for a safer location, Fokina chose to stay behind to continue assisting those in need.
The attack that claimed her life occurred on November 2 when Russian forces conducted several airstrikes on a school in Komyshuvakha. Local residents had gathered at the school building to receive humanitarian aid. A second attack followed the initial strike, hitting the shelter where people were taking cover.
As of November 9, authorities had identified 30 of the 55 people confirmed to have been killed in the attack. The victims included local residents, police officers, and employees of the State Emergency Service. Rescue operations at the site continue, with 19 people potentially still trapped under the rubble.
During the search and rescue efforts, Russian forces used a drone to attack State Emergency Service personnel. While the rescue workers emerged unharmed, the strike caused damage to their equipment. Fokina's death is part of the broader toll of the conflict in the region, where community members and emergency responders have faced significant risks.
