A UKRAINIAN sniper mum has been killed by Putin’s troops in a brave final stand behind enemy lines.
Ekaterina ‘Whiskey’ Shinkarenko, 30, was gunned down two months ago but her death was confirmed today as her remains were only just retrieved.
East2WestUkrainian sniper Ekaterina Shinkarenko was killed by Putin’s troops[/caption]
East2WestShe reportedly died fighting with the sniper platoon during the Battle of Avdiivka, won by Russia in February[/caption]
East2WestThe 30-year-old is survived by her husband Andrey Bozhko and son Denis[/caption]
East2WestShinkarenko – call sign ‘Whiskey’ – is now claimed by Russia to be the sixth female Ukrainian sniper to be killed at war[/caption]
The highly decorated sniper had been honoured with Ukraine’s Order of Courage, General Staff Golden Cross, and Cross of Valour.
The mum and professional cyclist is now claimed by Russia to be the sixth female Ukrainian sniper to be killed during Vladimir Putin’s brutal war.
Reports say she died fighting with the sniper platoon of Ukraine’s 53rd Separate Mechanised Brigade during the Battle of Avdiivka, won by Russia in February.
“The combat situation was such that the bodies of the woman and her brothers-in-arms remained deep behind the lines of the Russian invaders, which made it impossible to return them home, Ukrainian news outlet Fakti reported.
Family friend and military volunteer Yuri Slobozhansky was “saddened” to report Shinkarenko’s loss defending Ukraine, and said she would “always remain 30”.
“She died on February 22, 2024, along with her group, while repelling an enemy breakthrough, during the withdrawal of our troops from Avdiivka,” he said.
“It is only this week that we managed to return them home, and yesterday we completed all the official identification procedures.”
Slobozhansky wrote: “A huge special thank you to those who were involved in the return [of her body].”
Shinkarenko – known as Katy – was born in Kramatorsk, Donetsk region, but lived with her family in Ostroh city, in the Rivne region.
Her call sign was ‘Whiskey’.
Will StewartIn one of her last moments alive, the Ukrainian sniper shouts ‘glory to Ukraine!’ from inside a car[/caption]
East2WestThe sniper was a professional cyclist before the war in Ukraine[/caption]
East2WestUpon her death, the sniper’s family friend said she will always ‘remain 30’[/caption]
East2WestShinkarenko – known as Katy – was born in Kramatorsk, Donetsk region[/caption]
Shinkarenko is survived by her husband Andrey Bozhko, 30, and son Denis, aged six.
She is seen in footage declaring through the window of a car: “Glory to Ukraine.”
She hears back: “Glory to the heroes.”
The young sniper was also seen on the front line in her uniform enjoying the mud after the winter snow melted.
“I love the thaw…. Cool, really cool.”
It comes as Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has called out his allies for protecting Israel’s air space while his cities are pummelled by Russia.
Iron shield
The fierce leader demanded his country receive the “same level of protection” after the UK, US and Western powers blasted Iran’s missiles and drones out the sky in a steadfast defence of Israel.
However, last night Zelensky stressed that Ukraine desperately needs the same “unity” shown to Israel in the face of intensifying Russian attacks.
“By defending Israel, the free world has demonstrated that such unity is not only possible, but also one hundred percent effective,” he wrote on Telegram.
“The same is possible in defending Ukraine, which, like Israel, is not a Nato member, from terror.”
He thanked his allies for responding to his call for more air defences, but called for more “political will”.
Ukraine has in recent months grown increasingly exasperated at delays in Western aid, which it says are urgently needed to repel deadly Russian attacks.
A multi-billion dollar US aid package has stalled in Congress for months as a result of Republican hardliners.
Analysts have repeatedly warned Ukraine is perilously close to running out of munitions and vital air defence missiles and systems.
In a painful display of Ukraine’s need for weapons, Zelensky today announced Russian forces has destroyed the Trypillia Thermal Power Plant because Ukraine ran out of missiles.
The plant – which is the main power supply to Kyiv and nearby regions – was completely blitzed on April 11 after Russia launched 11 missiles at it and only seven were able to be shot down.
“All of our European neighbours and other partners see Ukraine’s critical need for air defence systems,” he said.
The Ukrainian leader argued that if Russian long-range missile strikes were allowed to continue without a Western response then it “will amount to a global license for terror”.
It comes as former defence secretary Ben Wallace today urged the UK government to use its defence of Israel as a means to secure Israeli support for Ukraine.
Wallace accused Israel of being “absent” from the countries donating weapons and aid to Ukraine.
“If pilots of the RAF are to help protect Israel, then we should expect Israel to help Ukraine with lethal weapons and other assets, because alliances work both ways.”
East2WestThe mum-of-one was a highly decorated sniper[/caption]
East2WestShe was honoured with Ukraine’s Order of Courage, General Staff Golden Cross, and Cross of Valour[/caption]
East2WestShinkarenko and Bozhko pictured on their wedding day[/caption]