A YOUNG British medic has reportedly been found dead in her bed in Kiev, Ukraine, where she was volunteering.
The body of Katherine Mielniczuk, a former chemistry student, was reportedly discovered in the early hours of Christmas Eve.
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British medic Katherine Mielniczuk has reportedly been found dead in her bed in KievCredit: Facebook
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It is said that the body of the former chemistry student was found on Christmas Eve by members of her unit
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Katherine spent 18 months on the front lines of the war against RussiaCredit: Facebook
Ukrainian volunteer organization Project Konstantin announced the tragic death of the 26-year-old on X, writing: “It is with deep regret that we announce the death of @menacemedics.
“We learned this terrible news a few hours ago and after talking with her family, we offered her help.
“All we know is that she was discovered in her bed this morning (December 24, 2023), the cause of her death is not being treated as suspicious at this stage.”
The group added that the relevant authorities would release any additional information at a later date, signing its announcement with the words: “Rest in peace, Apache.”
It is said that Katherine’s body was found by members of her unit; she is believed to have served in the 151st Special Operations Forces.
According to her social media profiles, Katherine grew up in South East London and went to school near Orpington before studying chemistry at Bristol University.
Her family, from Westerham, Kent, said in a statement: “She dedicated her life to helping others, as a medic, as a scientist and researcher, and as a friend.
“She has been volunteering in Ukraine for the past 18 months, working in logistical support and as a paramedic across the country.
“It’s impossible to truly convey what an amazing woman Katherine was or how deeply and widely she was loved and how much she will be missed.
“Kasia is gone, but the endless warmth, love and grace she brought to the world will never be lost.”
A donation fund has been set up to help Katherine’s family by helping them cover the costs of flying to Ukraine and returning Katherine’s body to the UK.
One person, who called Katherine a “dear friend,” posted on the fund: “I will forever miss our hours on the phone talking to you about anything and everything, and walking the dogs from the animal shelter together.”
Another wrote: “At university you were always someone I could turn to and looked out for me. I’ll really miss you. See you when I’m older xx.”
The young woman, affectionately known as “Kat” by her peers, is believed to have served in Ukraine as an instructor and medic with a group calling itself the Menace Medics.
She wrote in an online post: “For the last 18 months I have been volunteering in Ukraine in a medical and operational capacity (primarily with StaySafeUA).
“Before that I studied chemistry in the UK and worked in acute medicine for 6 years.”
StaySafeUA is a group of people, mostly Ukrainians, who specialize in providing humanitarian and medical aid to those “living on the front lines of the Russian invasion”.
She added, “Our goal at Menace Medics is to assist medics on the ground with critical medical equipment and vehicle/fuel repairs that will exceed our ability to operate, saving the lives of brave foreign fighters and relentless Ukrainian soldiers.”
Katherine’s former boss at StaySafeUA Andriy Depko told MailOnline: “She did so much for Ukraine in the 13 months she was with us, before she left as an army medic.
“She wanted to be on the front lines, saving soldiers and using the education and skills she had. She wanted to be there 24/7.
– She wanted to show how brave she is.
The 26-year-old said her work and the funds she raised were and will be focused on treating seriously wounded people and ensuring the 200 foreigners in her unit remain in optimal health.
Her Instagram, Facebook and X profiles have been made private.
According to MailOnline, she revealed on November 28 that she spent her “first days [in an] ambulance donated for me”.
In a video released in July, she allegedly gave an interview to a local journalist and told how she was working in Bristol when she volunteered to help in Ukraine because she felt it was her “duty to help”.
She was quoted as saying: “I will stay until it may be safe to be here or until I need to return to my brother or mother.”
Authorities are now trying to determine the cause of Katherine’s death.
Help from a FCDO spokesperson: “We are supporting the family of the British woman who died in Ukraine and are in contact with the local authorities.”
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The cause of Katherine’s death is not being treated as suspiciousCredit: Facebook
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Katherine had reportedly previously told a reporter that she was working in Bristol when she volunteered to help in UkraineCredit: Facebook
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