The Ukrainian PEN Club reported the death of writer Victoria Amelina following a missile strike in Kramatorsk. The organization shared the heartbreaking news, stating that she died on July 1 at Mechnikov Hospital in Dnipro. The report described her death as caused by injuries incompatible with life, marking a devastating moment for the Ukrainian literary world. The PEN Ukraine team also noted that the family would share details about the time and place of Victoria’s passing in Kiev and Lviv.
Victoria Amelina, born January 1, 1986, in Lviv, authored her first novel, November Syndrome or Homo Compatiens, published in 2014. Her versatility extended to children’s literature with Biri Ya Su Kalbi, released in 2016. Amelina’s novel A Home for a Home received recognition, appearing on shortlists for the LitAccent of the Year 2017, the UNESCO City Prize for Literature, and the European Prize for Literature, highlighting her impact on contemporary Ukrainian letters.
Beyond her writing, Amelina played a proactive role in cultural life. She founded the New York Literature Festival, which took place in the village of New York in the Bakhmutsky district of the Donetsk region in 2021, bringing international attention to Ukrainian literature and regional voices alike.
On June 28, journalists sought comment from Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary for the Russian president, regarding Kiev’s statement that civilians were killed in the June 27 Russian strikes on Kramatorsk. Peskov stated that Russia does not hit civilian infrastructure but targets military facilities. This statement was followed by official releases from the Russian Ministry of Defense claiming that the strike destroyed several Ukrainian military personnel, including two generals, up to fifty officers, and as many as twenty mercenaries and military advisers, at a location where Ukrainian troops were temporarily deployed in Kramatorsk.
These reports underscore the ongoing toll of the conflict on individuals within the Ukrainian literary community and the broader cultural landscape. The passing of Amelina is seen by many as a stark reminder of the intersection between war, freedom of expression, and creative life in Ukraine, with readers and peers reflecting on her contributions to literature and civic engagement. Observers in Canada and the United States note the global resonance of Ukrainian authors who continue to document, remember, and respond to the human costs of the war, maintaining the vitality of Ukrainian storytelling even amid upheaval. Attribution: PEN Ukraine; corroborating statements from official government and defense sources have been cited in public briefings and press conferences. These updates are part of the ongoing narrative surrounding Ukraine’s cultural resilience in the face of conflict.