Father and 15-Year-Old Daughter Killed by Russian Drone Laid to Rest in Western Ukraine.

A Double Funeral in Dobrotiv

According to TSN.ua: The village of Dobrotiv, located in the Ivano-Frankivsk region of western Ukraine, held a joint funeral on Tuesday for Volodymyr Shkrumelyak, a 52-year-old National Guard soldier, and his 15-year-old daughter Anelya. They were killed on March 24, 2026, when a Russian drone struck the city of Ivano-Frankivsk. At the time of the attack, roughly one hundred people were inside the city's perinatal center, which was also hit.

Volodymyr had served with the 50th Regiment of the National Guard of Ukraine since February 2026, after spending 20 years working for a municipal utility company. The loss of both a devoted father and his teenage daughter has sent shockwaves through the tight-knit local community.

“And it happened that in one moment, an enemy drone simply took them away,” said Iryna Ivanchko, expressing the profound bitterness of the loss.

Dreams Cut Short and Lasting Memories

Anelya, a bright young girl, had dreamed of becoming a dentist. Her death, alongside her father’s, represents another devastating blow for their family and the entire village. The farewell ceremony for Volodymyr and Anelya took place outside their home, where, following an ancient local tradition, a small wedding tree was placed. This custom, a poignant symbol of remembrance, honored the lives and dreams that will now never be fulfilled. This tragedy, which has deeply shaken so many, underscores the heavy price Ukrainian civilians and soldiers continue to pay as the war grinds on.

This event serves as a stark reminder of the war's brutality and its direct impact on ordinary families. The deaths of Volodymyr and Anelya Shkrumelyak are not just a personal catastrophe; they reflect the collective grief of countless Ukrainians who have lost loved ones in the conflict. It is vital that the memory of such people endures, and that their aspirations and hopes are not forgotten, for each loss is a profound wound to the entire nation.

As the war continues, society is faced with the urgent need to support one another and preserve the memory of its fallen heroes.