Ukrainian girl killed in terror attack in Sydney: mother spoke about fleeing from the war.

According to ТСН: 10-year-old Ukrainian Matilda Poltavchenko, who sought refuge in Australia from the war, became a victim of an anti-Semitic terror attack on Bondi Beach in Sydney. Her mother Valentina recounted how a terrorist's bullet ended the child's life during the Hanukkah celebrations.

After Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Valentina moved to Australia with her family in search of safety. The woman was grateful that her son was not on the front lines.

However, the feeling of security vanished in an instant when Matilda became one of the 16 victims of the attack, during which two men opened fire on people. Police believe it was an anti-Semitic attack inspired by ISIS ideology.

Words of the mother of the deceased child

This week, just a few days after her daughter's death, the distraught mother addressed the public. She confessed that she was 'so happy' when she arrived from Ukraine, but the events of that Sunday evening, when the shooters attacked the participants of the Hanukkah celebration, shattered her life.

'I took my older son from Ukraine, and I was so happy that he was not there, not fighting — that he is here safe. I can't imagine what kind of monster stands on that bridge, sees a little girl running to her father to hide, and pulls the trigger. This was not an accident. This was not a stray bullet. It was a bullet. It was aimed at her,' Valentina recounted.

Names of the suspects

Law enforcement named the two suspects — 24-year-old Navid Akram and his 50-year-old father Sajid, who died at the shooting scene.

According to the New South Wales police, the younger Akram faces 59 charges related to the mass shooting. Among them are 15 counts of murder, charges of committing a terrorist act, 40 counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to kill, and public display of the symbols of a banned terrorist organization.

The local authorities reported that Akram sustained critical injuries during the shootout with police and regained consciousness on Tuesday under the influence of strong medications.

As noted in the New South Wales Court, the first court hearing took place directly from the hospital room. The case was adjourned until 2026 to allow for a full interrogation after the effects of the drugs wear off. Commenting on the situation, the state police commissioner Mal Lanyon emphasized: 'For the sake of justice, we must ensure that he clearly understands what is happening.'

As a result of the attack, 16 people were killed, and the identities of 13 victims have currently been established.

It should be noted that during the Hanukkah celebrations at Bondi Beach in Sydney, two men launched a mass shooting, opening fire with rifles from a vehicle. As a result of the attack, people were killed and injured.

This tragedy highlights the exacerbation of anti-Semitic sentiments worldwide and underscores the importance of enhancing security in public places, especially during festive events. Feedback from relatives and witnesses reflects the deep shock and pain that engulfed the community after this horrific incident.