Russia shells Donetsk region, killing two and injuring two international volunteers
Emma Igual, a Spanish volunteer, and Anthony Ihnat "Tonko," a Canadian volunteer, were tragically killed in Russian shelling on Saturday, September 9th, near Chasiv Yar in the Donetsk region. Furthermore, two of their colleagues were injured in the incident.
Reuters reported this, referring to the Spanish and Ukrainian authorities.
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The death of a humanitarian worker from Spain during the G20 summit was announced by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the country, Jose Manuel Albarez, who did not specify her name.
"Unfortunately, I can confirm that a rocket hit the car in which our citizen, who worked in a humanitarian non-governmental organization in Ukraine, was driving. We have verbal confirmation of her death," Albares said.
A Canadian humanitarian worker, Anthony "Tonko" Ignat, was killed during shelling on Saturday in Chasiv Yar, a city in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine. This is according to the Road2Relief organization.
Road2Relief volunteers
The organization "Smilyvi Vidnovliuvaty" ("Brave to Restore" in English), for which Anthony Ihnat also volunteered, confirmed his death and told more about the deceased.
Anthony was 58 years old. He was a Canadian citizen of Slovak origin. He lived in the province of Ontario and worked there as a handyman.
In 2022, a man sold his truck and came to Ukraine to help people during a full-scale war.
"The news about what is happening with you hit me to the very heart. My parents are from Slovakia. I didn't have the chance to visit there, but it is very close by. So, I have warm feelings for Ukraine as well. That's why I'm here to help as much as possible, " Tonko said.
He helped refugees on the Polish border, delivered humanitarian aid, evacuated people, repaired schools, and rebuilt houses.
"A beautiful, responsive, always joyful, bright, caring, hard-working man," the organization remembers Ihnat.
In the morning, four members of the Road2Relief team came under Russian fire on the way to Bakhmut. As a result of the attack, German medical volunteer Ruben Mawick and Swedish volunteer Johan Mathias Thyr received severe shrapnel wounds and burns.
According to the organization's message, the fourth victim was the Spanish volunteer and director of Road2Relief, Emma Igual, whose condition is unknown. According to El Pais, it was she who died.
For reference:
Road to Relief is a Ukrainian humanitarian non-governmental organization established in March 2022 to provide assistance and support to the civilian population of Ukraine affected by the Russian invasion. Its volunteers work in the Donetsk and Kherson regions.
It should be noted that the founder of the volunteer project Phoenix, medical volunteer Taylor, died on May 15 after several weeks of struggle with a severe injury he received in Donbas.
It was also reported that on February 3, American volunteer Pete Reed died while aiding the civilians in the Donetsk city of Bakhmut.
