The tragic news of the murder of a 32-year-old Ukrainian woman and her 1-year-old daughter in the German city of Dorsten has sent shockwaves through the Ukrainian diaspora and beyond. The bodies of the two victims were discovered in the Holsterhausen district on June 29, with both showing signs of violent trauma. The crime scene was swiftly cordoned off by German authorities, and a 16-year-old Ukrainian boy, who resides in the same city, appeared at the crime scene later that same day. He admitted to being involved in the killings and was subsequently arrested on the spot. The relationship between the suspected teenager and the victims is still under investigation by the police.
Ukraine’s Consulate in Dusseldorf has confirmed the details of the case and is actively coordinating with German law enforcement to gather more information. The consulate has also reached out to the families of the victims and the detained teenager, indicating that the case is under special supervision by the diplomatic mission. The Foreign Ministry of Ukraine has also confirmed the incident, emphasizing the need for international cooperation in such cases.
While the full details of the case remain under investigation, it is the second such incident in a short timeframe involving Ukrainian families in Europe. Earlier in June, a similar tragedy occurred in Belgium, where a 46-year-old Ukrainian woman and her 6-year-old daughter were found murdered in the city of Leuven. The woman and her daughter were reportedly found in the fire, having previously suffered from stab wounds, with the 16-year-old son of the woman confessing to the crimes after intensive questioning. These tragic events highlight the growing concerns of the Ukrainian diaspora and the need for increased security and support for families living abroad.
Authorities in both Germany and Belgium are working closely with the respective Ukrainian diplomatic missions to ensure that the families of the victims and the suspects receive the necessary support and information. While the exact motive behind these murders remains unclear, the cases have sparked outrage and calls for more resources to be allocated to investigations involving Ukrainian citizens living in Europe. The ongoing investigations are expected to shed more light on the circumstances and possible motives behind these tragic events.