Female British combat medic, 26, found dead in Ukraine ‘dedicated her life to others’ and ‘brought love into the world’, family says as body is revealed on Christmas Eve after serving in war zone for 18 months

The family of a British female volunteer in Ukraine who was found dead in her bed in the country’s capital say she “dedicated her life to helping others.”

The body of former chemistry student Katherine Mielniczuk, 26, was found in the early hours of Christmas Eve by members of her unit, the 151st Special Operations Forces unit.

Her family, from Westerham in Kent, said in a statement today: ‘She dedicated her life to helping others, as a clinician, as a scientist and researcher, and as a friend.

“She has spent the last 18 months volunteering in Ukraine, working in relief logistics and as a combat medic across the country.

“It is impossible to truly convey what an incredible woman Katherine was, or how deeply and widely she was loved and will be missed.

“Kasia is gone, but the endless warmth, love and grace she brought to the world will never be lost.”

Ukrainian volunteer organization Project Konstantin said earlier this week: ‘It is with great regret that we announce the death of Katherine Mielniczuk.

‘We heard this terrible news a few hours ago and after speaking to her family we offered to help.

“All we know is that she was found in her bed this morning (December 24, 2023). The cause of death is not considered suspicious at this stage. Further information will be released by authorities later.

“For now, we are focusing on the pain her family is suffering and trying to ease their suffering by giving them the opportunity to fly to Ukraine and we want to help with the repatriation costs.”

The message ended with, “Rest in peace, Apache,” referring to her call sign.

“Kat,” as she was affectionately known, served as an instructor and combat medic with a group that called itself Menace Medics.

The volunteer, a graduate of the University of Bristol, wrote on her blog before her death: ‘At Menace Medics our aim is to assist the medics on the ground with critical medical equipment and vehicle repairs/fuel, which will exceed our expectations. ability to operate, saving the lives of courageous foreign fighters and ruthless Ukrainian soldiers.”

According to a post on her blog, she had spent the past 18 months volunteering in Ukraine in a “medical and operational capacity, primarily with StaySafeUA, a volunteer group dedicated to supporting those “living on the frontlines of the Russian invasion.”

In a post on November 28, she said she had spent her “first days.” [in an] ambulance donated for me,” sharing a photo of a puppy that appeared to be in the car with her.

In a video posted in July, she gave an interview to a local reporter in which she said she had been working in Bristol when she decided to apply for Ukraine and said she felt it was her “duty to to help’.

She added, “I will stay until it might not be safe to be here or until I have to go back to my brother or my mother.”

Authorities are now trying to determine the cause of death.

Andriy Depko, her former boss at StaySafeUA, a support organization she worked for for 13 months, told MailOnline exclusively that she was a dedicated volunteer who always put others before herself.

“From the beginning, she wanted to volunteer to go to the front lines of the invasion,” Andriy said.

‘We always told her to stay safe, but she insisted on going to the most dangerous places to help.

“We told her, ‘You have to be safe,’ but she kept pushing and kept saying, ‘I have to be helpful.’

“She did so much for Ukraine in the 13 months she was with us before leaving to become a military paramedic.

“She wanted to be on the front lines, saving soldiers and using the training and skills she had. She wanted to be there 24/7.

“She wanted to show how brave she was.”

He said he didn’t believe the news of her death when he heard it.

‘At first I thought it was impossible. I thought, “This isn’t real. We’ll hear the news that she’s okay.”

‘It is very difficult to understand that a friendly and active person can disappear. It tears my heart apart.

‘It was very tough for my team. We had a meeting to talk about [her passing]and we shared memories of her.

‘Everyone liked her. She was still part of our team [even after she left].

‘I want people to remember her as the kind, committed woman she was.

‘Her involvement will never be forgotten. She wanted to help children, soldiers, everyone. I want everyone to remember her for that.”

News reports in 2013 revealed that she helped save a terrified fox pup trapped in a 10-foot trap outside a terraced house in London.

News buyer reported that at age 15, Katherine risked her safety by climbing over a fence, scooping up the young animal with a hat, and climbing back up to make sure it was safe.

After handing him over to a member of the RSPCA, she said: ‘As soon as I saw the fox I was determined to help him – I didn’t want to let him die. After all, it got trapped through no fault of its own, so why should it have to suffer?

‘At first I was afraid to climb over the fence as I wasn’t sure if I would be bitten or otherwise attacked, but the cub showed no threat and willingly put on a stranger’s hat and didn’t have one objection to being detained.

“I feel like I’ve done a good deed and I’m grateful that there are people in the world who still have some compassion for foxes, which are often seen as violent pests.”

Project Konstantin has set up a fundraising campaign to support Katherine’s repatriation and funeral costs.