Prominent Ukrainian Writer Victoria Amelina Dies From a Missile Strike

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Ukrainian Writer Victoria Amelina’s Death Amplifies the Need for Resolution

Ukrainian writer Victoria Amelina, who was critically wounded in a Russian missile strike on a restaurant in Kramatorsk, has tragically passed away, according to PEN, a freedom of expression group. The incident occurred last week when a Russian missile demolished the Ria Pizza restaurant, claiming the lives of 12 people, including four children, and injuring numerous others.

PEN Ukraine shared the devastating news on their Facebook page: “With our greatest pain, we inform you that Ukrainian writer Victoria Amelina passed away on July 1st in Mechnikov Hospital in Dnipro.” At the time of the attack, Amelina was in Kramatorsk as part of a delegation comprising Colombian journalists and writers.

Amelina, 37, suffered from severe injuries, including multiple skull fractures, as confirmed by a surgeon who treated her. She was a renowned writer, with her novel “Dom’s Dream Kingdom” being published in 2017. The book was recognized for its excellence and was shortlisted for prestigious literary prizes, including the Unesco City of Literature prize and the European Union prize for literature. Amelina’s works, including her poems, prose, and essays, have been translated into various languages, including English, German, and Polish.

PEN America mourns the death of prize-winning Ukrainian author and @PenUkraine member Victoria Amelina who was struck by a Russian missile in Kramatorsk on Tuesday and died on July 1. https://t.co/1t8WmiHtZp #VictoriaAmelina #RIP pic.twitter.com/P3ctWZD9r6

— PEN America (@PENamerica) July 2, 2023

Throughout 2022, Amelina dedicated herself to documenting Russian war crimes during the ongoing invasion and advocating for accountability. She also worked closely with children who found themselves on or near the front lines. Notably, her efforts included unearthing the diary of Volodymyr Vakulenko, a fellow writer who was unlawfully detained and killed by Russian soldiers in Izium. Vakulenko’s diary, discovered buried in his garden, provided real-time evidence of the atrocities committed by Russian forces.

Russia, however, claimed that the missile strike in Kramatorsk targeted the Ukrainian military and foreign mercenaries. Nevertheless, in collaboration with PEN, the war crimes campaign group Truth Hounds interviewed witnesses who confirmed that there were no military targets at the site. In a joint statement, they declared, “There were no military objects that could have been a legal target for the attack around that day.” The evidence suggests that the Russian armed forces employed an Iskander missile, known for its high accuracy, indicating a deliberate and calculated attack.

Ria Pizza in Kramatorsk was a popular gathering spot for soldiers, journalists, and aid workers in one of the largest cities still under Ukrainian control in the eastern region.