Soldier's Heartbreak: Father Falls Victim to Missile Strike in Poltava

In a heart-wrenching turn of events, Oleksandr Horodnytskyi, a Ukrainian soldier, returned home on emergency leave to bury his father, Petro Horodnytskyi. The elder Horodnytskyi was among the 58 victims of a missile strike on a military institute in Poltava, central Ukraine, on September 3, 2024.

The attack, occurring approximately 160 kilometers from the front lines, shocked the local community. Poltava, a city steeped in history and known for the 1709 Battle of Poltava, now faces a new chapter of conflict.

"However difficult it may be, however scary it may be, there's no way back for us. Because otherwise we lose our freedom, our lives, and all the values for which our countrymen — the fighters of Ukraine — have died."

On September 8, 2024, multiple funerals took place in Poltava. The city's main church hosted services for six soldiers, their coffins draped with the blue and yellow national flag of Ukraine. The use of closed caskets underscored the destructive power of the missiles.

Oleksandr, 36, a member of an assault brigade, grappled with the unexpected loss. "I never would've thought two missiles would come to the center of Poltava," he said, his anger palpable. The tragedy highlighted the unpredictable nature of the conflict, which has engulfed Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Petro Horodnytskyi, 66, had worked as a security guard at the Military Institute of Telecommunications and Information Technology for 15 years. Known for his physical prowess and generosity, he often sent vegetables, honey, and apples from his farm to his grandchildren.

The family's grief was compounded by the violent nature of Petro's death. At the morgue, Oleksandr's wife, Tetiana, pleaded, "Please tell me he was not suffering. Please tell me he died immediately."

In their village, over 30 kilometers from Poltava, the family prepared for Petro's burial. The community gathered under a maple tree near the apple orchard, where fruit hung heavy on the trees – a poignant reminder of Ukraine's strong agricultural tradition.

As is common in Ukrainian village cemeteries, Petro was laid to rest in a family plot, alongside his ancestors. The funeral followed Orthodox Christian traditions, with priests using censers filled with incense.

Amidst the sorrow, 11-year-old Dmytro, Oleksandr's son, faced the harsh reality of becoming the "man of the house" in his father's absence and grandfather's death. This concept holds significant cultural importance in Ukrainian society.

The tragedy of the Horodnytskyi family reflects the broader impact of the ongoing conflict on Ukrainian civilians. As Oleksandr prepared to return to the front lines on September 9, 2024, he left behind a family grappling with unexpected loss and an uncertain future.