“I couldn’t just stand by”: “Shelter” learned the details about volunteer Vitalina Yarovenko, who was killed in Kyiv as a result of a Russian strike

Her closest friend, Maria Korneeva, told “Shelter” what Vitalina was like in real life, why she chose to volunteer, and what she dreamed of.

She always strove to do more

Maria Korneeva and Vitalina had been friends since childhood. They attended the same school, participated in various projects, and spent almost all their free time together.

According to her friend, Vitalina was outgoing, cheerful, and vibrant. Even in school, she was a member of the student council and organized events.

“She was always an activist. She tried to do everything creatively and well—not just to complete a task, but to achieve a great result that everyone would enjoy,” Maria recalls.

After high school, Vitalina enrolled at the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, where she studied psychology. She was proud of her university, participated in student government, and got involved in organizing military training.

Vitalina wasn’t afraid to take on responsibility. She set up her own headquarters, established communication channels, and was constantly learning to better carry out her assigned tasks. She did all of this for free as a volunteer.

Supporting Wounded Soldiers

After the full-scale invasion began, Maria suggested that Vitalina join her in visiting wounded soldiers in hospitals. Vitalina agreed and quickly became passionate about this work.

The girls visited the hospitals every week, and sometimes even more often. They talked with the wounded, brought them necessary supplies, took them out for walks, and tried to help them take their minds off what they’d been through, even if just for a little while.

With some of the soldiers, the friendship continued even after they were discharged. The girls even visited one of the soldiers in the Carpathians, stayed in touch with him, and talked a lot.

Maria says that helping others was the essence of who Vitalina was. She spared neither time nor effort and got involved in any cause where she could be of use.

She became a tactical medicine instructor

Later, Vitalina and a friend took courses in tactical medicine. She planned to continue her training to become a combat medic, but she didn’t have time to carry out that plan.

At the same time, Vitalina became a tactical medicine instructor at the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. She taught classes to students and cadets, was well-versed in first-aid protocols, and could clearly explain even complex material.

“She could explain absolutely everything very competently and coherently, as if she were reading from a textbook. She had a wealth of knowledge,” says Maria.

Recently, Vitalina joined a volunteer medical team on the left bank of Kyiv. These teams are dispatched to the sites of Russian attacks to provide emergency first aid to the injured before the main emergency services arrive.

Initially, the plan was for Vitalina to handle administrative work, communications, and logistics for the team. However, thanks to her medical training, she began going out to the sites of shelling as a paramedic.

She went out after every shelling

According to Maria, Vitalina always took her own safety seriously. Yet nothing could stop her when others needed help.

Once, a drone struck near the house where she was staying. Vitalina grabbed a first-aid kit and went to check if there were any people nearby who needed medical assistance.

After the Russian attacks, she and a friend also helped clear debris, cover shattered windows with plastic sheeting and slabs, and evacuate elderly people from damaged buildings. She provided psychological support to the victims and coordinated relief efforts.

After the strike on the Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital, Vitalina also went to help at the scene of the tragedy.

She died while rushing to save people

On the night of July 31, Vitalina’s volunteer crew received a report about the aftermath of a Russian strike in Kyiv’s Darnytskyi district. A major fire had broken out in a residential building, and the medical team rushed to assist the victims.

Accompanying Vitalina in the vehicle were paramedic Eva Reuter, known among her friends by the call sign “Elis,” and a volunteer driver, an American named Joey.

A Russian missile exploded near the vehicle. Eva and Vitalina were killed; Joey is in intensive care.

She helped not only people but also animals

Vitalina was her parents’ only daughter. She worked hard, sought professional growth, and wanted to dedicate her life to helping people.

At the same time, she loved animals very much. She took in dogs for foster care, helped them adjust to life in a home, and looked for new families for them. After her death, two dogs were left behind; they are now being cared for at a shelter.

Recently, Vitalina had also become fascinated with aquariums. Together with Maria, they would visit specialty stores, choose fish, plants, and decorations, and set up their own aquariums.

She dreamed of a family and children

A few days before her death, Vitalina met with Maria. They drank coffee and talked about the future.

Vitalina confessed that she really wanted to become a mother, have children, and have a big family. The friends dreamed that one day they would walk together with baby strollers, become godmothers to each other’s children, and remain friends for life.

Maria says they were more than just friends—they were practically sisters. They shared friends, hobbies, possessions, and plans. Even when they couldn’t meet in person, they were constantly in touch by phone.

Vitalina was only 20 years old. She didn’t have time to finish her studies, start a family, or carry out many of her plans. But in her short life, she managed to support wounded soldiers, help victims of shelling, teach others how to save lives, and give abandoned animals a home.