Volunteers Yuriy and Lyubov Lysenko were killed in Orikhiv
In late August, during a Russian shelling of Orikhiv, a married couple of volunteers—Yuriy and Lyubov Lysenko—were killed. They had remained in the dangerous city to help people and animals in need of rescue.
In Orikhiv, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, a married couple of volunteers, Yuriy and Lyubov Lysenko, were killed. Their lives were cut short in late August during the Russian shelling of the town. Pastor Viktor Haransky announced the couple’s deaths during a service in Orikhiv on August 30. “A few days ago, Yuriy and Lyubov (Lysenko) were killed,” the pastor said. He did not disclose the exact circumstances of the couple’s deaths. It is known only that the Lysenko couple were killed during the shelling of Orikhiv.
The couple remained in Orikhiv
Orikhiv remains one of the most dangerous towns in the Zaporizhzhia region. The town is regularly subjected to Russian shelling, and due to its proximity to the front lines, staying there remains dangerous for civilians. Despite the constant attacks, some people continue to remain in the town. Among them were Yuriy and Lyubov Lysenko.
The couple volunteered to help others and, in particular, rescued animals. They assisted those who remained in the dangerous area and needed support. Their work involved helping animals that, due to the war, had been left without owners or were unable to receive the necessary care. The deaths of these volunteers were yet another tragedy for a community that has been living under the constant threat of Russian attacks for several years.
Services continue to be held in the city
News of the Lysenko family’s deaths emerged during a service led by Viktor Haransky on August 30 in a private yard in Orikhiv. Due to the danger, it was impossible to gather people at the usual location for the service. Therefore, it was held right there in the private yard. The service was attended by people who, despite the constant shelling, continue to remain in Orikhiv.
The pastor also reported that Russian troops had burned down the church building. “The enemy burned down the church building. Yuriy and Lyubov were killed a few days ago,” Haransky said. Thus, the war affects not only residential buildings and the city’s infrastructure. People who remain in Orikhiv and try to help others are also dying under Russian shelling.
Orikhiv regularly suffers from Russian attacks
Orikhiv is located near the front line. Because of this, the city has long been under constant threat of shelling. Russian troops regularly attack Orikhiv with artillery, aircraft, drones, and other weapons. Due to damage to residential buildings and infrastructure, living conditions there remain extremely difficult.
At the same time, civilians remain in the city. Some people are unwilling or unable to leave, while volunteers continue to help those in need. It was under these very conditions that Yuriy and Lyubov Lysenko were working to rescue animals. At this time, there are no additional details regarding exactly where and under what circumstances the couple died. Therefore, these circumstances require further clarification. The deaths of Yuriy and Lyubov Lysenko mark yet another loss for the Orikhiv community, which continues to live under Russian shelling. This was reported by a Ukrinform correspondent.
Chernihiv Oblast has endured more than 7,500 Russian shelling attacks since the beginning of the year, according to Vyhovsky.
On the night of August 27, Russian troops repeatedly attacked the Naftogaz Group’s Kherson Thermal Power Plant. As a result of the strike, the plant sustained critical damage.
In the morning, Russian troops attacked the Kherson Thermal Power Plant—the city’s main source of heat—with a guided aerial bomb, causing serious damage. Naftogaz noted that experts will be able to assess the full extent of the damage once the security situation stabilizes.
Naftogaz emphasized that the Kherson Thermal Power Plant is exclusively a civilian facility, whose primary purpose is to supply heat to the city’s residents. At the same time, the plant has been subjected to dozens of Russian attacks throughout 2026.
