“More Than Anything, She Wanted to See Ukraine Without War”

Yaryna Mruts, callsign “Athena,” a member of the VETERANKA movement and a combat medic, was killed on November 22, 2025. She was 26 years old.

With a medical education behind her, Yaryna voluntarily joined the Armed Forces. She wanted to be useful to her country and to save lives at the front. Her professionalism and sense of responsibility allowed her to advance quickly in military service. She later received an officer’s rank. In her final post, Yaryna served as Head of the Medical Point of the 210th Separate Assault Regiment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

She Mobilized After the Death of a Close Friend

Yaryna Mruts was originally from the Lviv region. She chose to dedicate her life to medicine and enrolled at Vinnytsia National Pirogov Memorial Medical University. At the time of Russia’s full-scale invasion, she was working as an emergency medicine intern.

In late March 2023, Yaryna mobilized to the 24th Separate Mechanized Brigade. She made this decision after her close friend was killed in the war.

Yaryna Saved Many Lives

Yaryna began her service as a sanitary instructor at the medical point of the 1st Mechanized Battalion. The unit carried out combat missions near Maiorsk and Horlivka.

“During assault operations in that sector, Yaryna was evacuating wounded soldiers from our positions. The situation was extremely difficult. One day, a guided aerial bomb hit the command and observation post of our rifle battalion. She saved many lives that day, although, sadly, there were losses as well. Yaryna used to say: I will serve as long as my help is needed,” recalls her commander and friend.

Professionalism That Led to Rapid Advancement

Yaryna received the rank of lieutenant. She first served as Head of the Medical Point of the 156th Separate Mechanized Brigade, later transferred to the 155th Territorial Defense Battalion, and eventually continued her service as Head of the Medical Point of the 210th Separate Assault Regiment.

“She loved her work deeply and treated it with great responsibility. She was demanding of her subordinates, yet held immense authority among the personnel. For her, human life and medical care always came first — regardless of whether the patient was a soldier, a sergeant, or an officer. There are very few people like Yaryna,” says her unit commander.

“We Will Always Remember Her Courage and Inner Strength”

Fellow service members remember Athena as someone who, despite the harsh realities of frontline service, found the strength to share her light and see the best in people.

“She could always support you, listen, and be there when it truly mattered. We will remember her laughter and her distinctive gaze. And above all — her courage, inner strength, and willingness to move forward even when things were incredibly hard,” her comrades say, adding that the unit became her second family.

She Dreamed of Seeing Ukraine Without War

Her fellow soldiers share that Yaryna loved traveling and dreamed of seeing not only Ukraine, but the world.

“She loved discovering new places, taking photos, and living each day fully. Through her photographs, you could feel how deeply she noticed beauty and saw the world in her own way. She loved the Carpathian Mountains — they always gave her peace and inspiration, as if the mountains renewed her strength.

More than anything, she wanted to see Ukraine without war. And after victory — to return home, to her family. She dreamed of rest, a peaceful life, and a home of her own.”

“I Want Her to Be Remembered as Strong and Open”

Yaryna’s death is an immense loss for her parents, younger brothers, her partner, the military community, and everyone who knew her. It is yet another painful loss for Ukraine in the war unleashed by Russia.

“I remember the beauty mark on her cheek, her eyes — there was a whole world in them. She was a person of light. She had many friends, and that’s no surprise — people were drawn to her because she knew how to be genuine. I want her to be remembered as she truly was: strong, yet open; with dreams of freedom and happiness. I will always carry her warmth within me. She will remain in my heart forever,” says Yaryna’s partner.

On behalf of all servicewomen, veterans, and volunteers of the VETERANKA movement, we extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of this Ukrainian defender.

Eternal memory. Honor and respect.