SW News: Ukrainians are mourning the death of a young military doctor, who is the icon of the heroic resistance in war-ravaged Mariupol. It was through a Facebook post on Saturday that journalist Tetiana Danylenko broke the news of the demise of Olena Kushnir, a senior sergeant in the National Guard, who was killed in Russian shelling. This young mother of a little boy heroically chose to stay back and fight even after she lost her husband at the beginning of the Russian invasion. She took this gritty decision to remain with the 100 women soldiers who are defending what is left of the city.

Olena became the poster girl of the Ukrainian resistance in Mariupol after she recorded a moving video in March seeking assistance for the devastated port city. Tetiana also published screenshots of Olena’s conversations with her friend a few days before she died. “Don't feel sorry for me, I'm a doctor, a fighter, I'm Ukrainian, I do my duty," she said. After managing to send her only son to safety, Olena chose to attend to the wounded soldiers and civilians and also fight the invaders in spite of mounting odds.

After the news of her death surfaced, tributes are pouring in on social media platforms. The Ukrainian government is planning to honor her as a martyr for her selfless sacrifice in the war with Russia. Although she had the option of escaping with her son, she chose to stay back and fight. Fiercely proud about her privacy, she did not reveal the cause of her husband’s death or his details.

There are reports that some people are still stuck in bunkers in the city unable to get potable water and food. Even the women soldiers are undergoing an ordeal without hygiene kits and clean water.