The sound of an aerial bomb was heard over the phone, then the call was cut off: Russians killed five medical center employees

In the city of Izium, Kharkiv region, five employees of a branch of the Kharkiv Regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention were killed in a Russian airstrike on October 29, 2026. The victims included the head of the laboratory, two laboratory assistants, an accountant, and a cleaner. During the attack, one of the women was on the phone with her colleagues. They heard the whistle of an aerial bomb and her attempts to escape, after which the connection was lost.

On November 6, 2026, the Ministry of Health of Ukraine shared the stories of the victims.

After Izium was liberated from Russian occupation, these women were among the first employees to return to work. They cleared the damaged premises themselves, removed shards of broken glass, and gradually resumed the laboratories’ operations.

Despite the aftermath of the occupation and the constant threat of shelling, the employees continued their work, caring for the health and safety of local residents.

Five lives cut short by a Russian aerial bomb

🕯️ Viktoriia Prokopenko devoted 36 years of her life to working in the sanitary and epidemiological service. She headed the sanitary-hygienic laboratory.

Viktoriia had dreamed of becoming a doctor since her school years. Later, she dedicated her professional life to protecting people’s health. Her colleagues remember her as a highly skilled specialist and a kind, compassionate person.

Viktoriia would have turned 59 on November 3, 2026. She is survived by her husband, daughter, and grandson.

🕯️ Yuliia Dovzhenko worked as a laboratory assistant in the bacteriological laboratory for almost 38 years. She devoted most of her life to this profession.

Her colleagues remember Yuliia as a sincere, friendly, and responsible woman who was always ready to help.

She would have turned 57 on November 2, 2026. She is survived by her husband, son, two granddaughters, and sister.

🕯️ Valentyna Prus had worked as a laboratory assistant in the sanitary-hygienic laboratory since 2021.

Over the years, she proved herself to be a responsible and professional specialist. Her colleagues remember Valentyna as an exceptionally kind, sincere, and friendly woman.

She was 55 at the time of her death. Valentyna is survived by her husband and daughter.

🕯️ Anzhela Prokhortseva worked as an accountant. After the city was liberated from occupation, she returned to her duties.

The circumstances of her death became one of the most harrowing details of the tragedy. At the time of the Russian airstrike, Anzhela was speaking on the phone with colleagues at the regional Center.

The Ministry of Health shared the final moments of that phone call.

“On the day of the tragedy, Anzhela was speaking on the phone with colleagues at the regional Center. During the call, they heard the whistle of a Russian aerial bomb, heard the woman trying to escape, and then the connection was lost.”

Anzhela was 54. She is survived by two daughters.

🕯️ Olena Hryshchenko worked as a cleaner of office premises. Every day, she ensured cleanliness and proper working conditions for her colleagues.

Olena had joined the team relatively recently, but quickly became an integral part of it.

She was 58 at the time of her death.

A day of mourning declared after the Russian strike

According to the Kharkiv Regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention, a Russian guided aerial bomb killed five employees of the institution. Another 14 people were injured.

A day of mourning for the victims was declared in the Izium community on October 31, 2026.

The Ministry of Health continues to share the stories of healthcare workers whose lives were taken by the Russian-Ukrainian war.

May Viktoriia Prokopenko, Yuliia Dovzhenko, Valentyna Prus, Anzhela Prokhortseva, and Olena Hryshchenko be remembered.

Eternal memory to all Ukrainians who have died as a result of Russian aggression.

Previously, we reported:

• 365 missiles and drones in one night: Russians target energy infrastructure, hospitals, and civilians
• Two waves of ballistic missiles target the capital: Southern Bridge damaged, metro not operating everywhere
• Russian missiles “find” a hospital again: operating room at the Institute of Cardiology hit
• Oleksandrivka in Kherson region left without medical staff: the village has no doctors
• Russians shell an ambulance in Mykolaiv region