Bought medicines for people and food for animals: in Kharkiv, occupiers killed a Polish volunteer

The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed the death in Ukraine of Polish volunteer Marek Rusek-Wolski, who was involved in delivering aid to civilians in frontline areas. This is reported by UNN with reference to the official statement of the Polish MFA spokesman Maciej Wiewiór on the social network X.

It is known that the tragedy occurred on July 27 as a result of another Russian shelling. The volunteer died in Kharkiv as a result of an attack by a Russian drone.

The ministry and diplomats expressed sincere condolences to the family of the deceased and are providing them with the necessary consular support. The Polish Embassy in Ukraine is coordinating the assistance process and interacting with the relatives of the deceased.

In addition, according to journalist Piotr Kaszuwara, the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor's Office has already opened criminal proceedings over the Russian Federation's war crime.

What is known about the deceased missionary

Marek Rusek-Wolski was the administrator of the well-known volunteer community Razem dla Ukrainy ("Together for Ukraine"). 

The Pole regularly came to Ukraine from the early stages of the full-scale invasion (since 2023). He independently organized fundraising, bought and brought food, medicines, and animal feed to frontline settlements in the Kharkiv region.

 Recently, the volunteer also helped evacuate the wounded and recover the bodies of deceased civilians.

As reported by Naszwybir.pl, Marek described the cruelty of the occupiers on social media and expressed helplessness over Russian attacks on civilians.

Context

The security situation in the Kharkiv region remains critical due to daily combined Russian strikes, which significantly complicates the work of international missions.

The Russian army continues to deliberately attack humanitarian missions. The death of Marek Rusek-Wolski adds to the list of Polish citizens who gave their lives saving Ukrainians.

In particular, earlier in March 2023, another Polish volunteer of the "Nehemiasz" initiative died in a hospital from wounds sustained after a hostile shelling on the Kostiantynivka — Chasiv Yar highway.

Marek Mastalerz, known by the call sign "Miś", died from his wounds. He came from Poznań and, since autumn 2022, regularly traveled to Ukraine with humanitarian cargo.

A minibus with volunteers and civilians came under Russian shelling while moving along the highway. The vehicle contained Marek Mastalerz, his partner Oleh, and four civilians. As a result of the attack, six people were injured.

Mastalerz suffered severe abdominal wounds. He was evacuated to a hospital, where Ukrainian doctors performed several complex operations. The volunteer was in an artificial coma for some time.

Despite the doctors' efforts, on March 27, 2023, Marek Mastalerz died in a Kyiv hospital. Eleven days had passed since the moment of his injury.

Mastalerz delivered aid to Irpin, Fastiv, and the Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk regions. Before trips to the frontline zone, he underwent training in first aid, evacuation, and behavior during shelling.

The Polish volunteer was buried on April 21, 2023, at the Sołacki Cemetery in Poznań. 

Reminder

In Kyiv, people said goodbye to a 20-year-old female medic who died saving people during an attack by the Russian Armed Forces.