Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
World
Abigail O'Leary

Hero Ukrainian mum-of-12 dies fighting Russian forces amid fierce front line battle

A hero Ukrainian mum-of-12 has reportedly died fighting Russian forced during a fierce fight on the front line.

Olga Semidyanova, 48, died after being hit in the stomach during a battle in the Donetsk region.

Her heartbroken family have been unable to recover her body as fighting continues in the area - but say she helped save others before she died.

Daughter Julia said: "She saved the soldiers to the last. We have photos from the place of death — but due to heavy fighting we still can’t bury my mother."

Anton Gerashchenko, an adviser to the country’s Interior Ministry, said: “She was slain in a confrontation with Russian thugs.

“Even when she believed her regiment might not survive, she emphasised her desire to protect the country until the end. She is a national hero. She is a hero to me.”

Want all the latest news and analysis from Ukraine? Sign up to our World News Bulletin here

Olga's heartbroken family have been unable to recover her body as fighting continues in the area (Twitter)

Olga, who adopted six orphaned children had previously been awarded the title Mother Heroine, given to mums who have more than five children, reports The Sun.

It comes amid growing fears that Russia's planned takeover has slowed, leading to fears Putin could order increased civilian shelling.

Footage yesterday showed the shocking moment a Russian tank slaughters an innocent elderly Ukrainian civilian as he walks down the street alone.

Ukrainian forces that shared the footage from the besieged and devastated city of Mariupol.

To read more about the Russian invasion of Ukraine, follow our blog here

Olga took up arms to fight Russian forces on the front line (Twitter)
A residential building damaged during an air strike, as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues, in Chernihiv, Ukraine (via REUTERS)

Decrying the shocking act as a "murder", they called on the images to be passed on to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague.

The footage was reportedly shot in the city of Mariupol, which is located on the north coast of the Sea of Azov, in the contested Donetsk Oblast region, in eastern Ukraine, and it was obtained by Newsflash last night (Tuesday, March 15) after it was released by Ukraine's Azov Regiment.

Ukrainian forces that shared the footage called it a 'murder' (@MFA_Ukraine/Twitter)

The footage shows a Russian tank positioned among what appear to be the remains of a destroyed civilian building.

Across the street, the civilian can be seen calmly walking by without making any attempt to hide or show any aggression.

The Russian tank then suddenly opens fire on the civilian, reportedly a man, allegedly killing him instantly as the shell hits the building right behind him, in an explosion of flame and smoke.

The lone man was walking down the road (@MFA_Ukraine/Twitter)

The city of Mariupol has been devastated by the Russian onslaught over the last two weeks, with reports of trapped civilians suffering from ill-health and hunger.

Last week, Russian missiles hit the maternity ward, with the horrific images making headlines around the world.

The Azov Regiment, also known as the Azov Battalion, is a group of soldiers who were officially incorporated into the National Guard of Ukraine in 2014 after recapturing Mariupol from pro-Russian separatists in June that year.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.