Mariia Stratulat was 14. She lived in Kyiv and studied at Specialized School No. 307, focusing on the natural sciences. She adored animals and volunteered with the ‘Four-Pawed Santa’ charity project. At school, she was active in various events, loved learning foreign languages, and pursued additional coursework with dedication.
Her brother, Andrii Stratulat, was eight. He also attended Specialized School No. 307. He was growing up responsible and independent, showed a strong aptitude for mathematics, and was also curious about the natural sciences. Teachers recall that he became especially engaged during the class ‘I Explore the World’. He participated eagerly in discussions and readily shared knowledge he picked up from additional sources.
Their school said:
‘Both Mariia and her brother were very polite and well-mannered children who never needed reminders, even about simple greetings. If Andrii was rarely seen smiling and often seemed serious and mature for his age, Mariia always greeted people with a kind smile and bright, shining eyes. They had a warm relationship with each other – no one ever heard of quarrels or conflicts between them.’
On 8 July the Russian military struck, among other targets, a residential building in Kyiv’s Shevchenkivskyi district where the Stratulat family lived. Mariia and Andrii were killed in the attack. Their mother, Anastasiia, sustained severe injuries and was hospitalized.