photo #9183189

This is the last photo of three friends, taken just a couple of hours before they were murdered in Bucha. Murdered by Russian soldiers. Nastia was 26. Serhii, the one in the black jacket, was 25. Max was 28. On the morning of March 4, 2022, they loaded Serhii’s SUV with animal food they planned to deliver to a shelter in Zabuchchia. They knew fighting was happening near Bucha, but they did not know that Russian troops had already begun occupying the town that morning — beginning the bloody trail of murdering hundreds of civilians. The friends were driving to Bucha on purpose — to reach Serhii’s parents. They were only a few meters away from arriving. The Russians fired around a hundred bullets at the three of them. Max was killed instantly. Two shots to the head. Nastia and Serhii, who was driving, jumped out of the car — they were gunned down while trying to escape. Nastia was hit by six bullets. Serhii by nine. Serhii’s parents buried all three in their own yard. What unimaginable horror it is to bury your child beside your home, without even being able to provide a proper coffin, hold a funeral service, or truly say goodbye. We remember.