Medic and volunteer Marina Vorontsova from Hostri Kartuzy unit killed on front line

This was reported on Telegram by the National Guard unit “Hostri Kartuzy,” according to Ukrinform.

“During a combat mission in the Pokrovsk area, our combat medic Marina Vorontsova ‘Laherta’ died heroically... Marina was a volunteer in our group and had been carrying out combat missions for a long time. She was the pearl and talisman of our group. Now she has become a guardian angel for each of us,” the post says.

Photo: National Guard unit “Hostri Kartuzy”

It is noted that before defending the country, Marina was a volunteer helping the army.

"Her heroic path in this war is difficult to describe in a post; books will surely be written about it. Since 2014, “Laherta” has been on the path of defending Ukraine. She was a volunteer for a long time and helped thousands of military personnel with technical support. Marina devoted the last year of her life to the war, fighting side by side with the Sharp Caps. For her numerous combat achievements, she received the group's combat chevron and wore it with pride. We are proud to have had the honor of fighting alongside such a great and noble person. This loss is very painful for all of us," the unit said.

Vorontsova's death was mourned by Kharkiv volunteers, servicemen from other units, and people from various fields who had known “Laherta” for a long time. Since yesterday, dozens of posts have appeared on social media.

"You would carefully examine all the photos and words written. Not because you wanted recognition, but because of your constant struggle for yourself and with yourself. You were always honest and genuine. If something was bullshit, you would say so without ceremony. You once wrote to me: ‘My story is not suitable for journalists. It's not successful at all’. Today, editors are calling me nonstop to tell me about you. And I've had a lump in my throat for two days. I don't remember when we met, but I think it was at the train station. You know, they write that you became a warrior. But I always thought of you as one. Because whatever you did, you always had to fight for it and win it. Your comrades write that you are their talisman. The station volunteers write about how much good and warmth you brought. People can't believe that you left so suddenly," wrote Yulia Pimenova, who, along with Vorontsova, was a volunteer at Station Kharkiv.

STB journalist Maria Malevska published footage of Vorontsova, filmed a few days ago in Donetsk Oblast.

"Don't be misled by the fact that Marina was filmed in the kitchen. We just caught her making pancakes. She is a combat medic in the unit, responsible for supplies and the morale of the guys. Marina took part in combat missions and had some successes, but her commander and comrades can tell you more about that. She is their soul, or so it seemed to me during this visit. Oleksandr Spitsyn [co-founder of “Hostri Kartuzy”] explained to me with such enthusiasm how important it is to suddenly take tiramisu out of your backpack in damp and gray plantations with mice," Malevska wrote in her post.

Her comrade-in-arms, Artem Fysun, a deputy of the Kharkiv Regional Council, noted that Marina's death is a loss for the entire country.

"Despair! Pain and a huge loss not only for us, but for the whole of Ukraine! A woman warrior with an unbreakable character, who knew the price of struggle and freedom from the beginning of the war in 2014, when the orcs set foot in Luhansk! Your keen sense of justice forged your character, and you could sting anyone who tried to argue with you. Your ingenuity and efficiency sometimes pleasantly shocked your comrades, who were amazed at how quickly and efficiently you solved problems and found solutions. Your desire to do everything with love and dedication to your cause attracted people to you like a magnet. Everything you took on, you saw through to the end,“ wrote a volunteer from the ”Hostri Kartuzy" group.

Marina Vorontsova is originally from Luhansk region, but in 2014 she moved to Kharkiv due to the Russian occupation. She soon began volunteering, first helping civilians — other displaced persons like herself — as part of the NGO “Station Kharkiv,” then focusing on supporting the Defense Forces.

She was involved in entrepreneurship, in particular, in 2019 she had a pancake shop in the city.

In an interview in 2023, when asked about military volunteering and how it changes lives, Marina replied:

"I hate these questions, especially now. You don't understand, unfortunately. I no longer have a life. Russia took it away from me, threw it on the floor, and trampled on it. For the second time. And I no longer have the strength to get my life back. And it may be that I never will, do you understand?! What is happening to us now is very scary and wild. It is impossible to describe, no matter how hard you try. Because no words can convey what war is like. It is wild pain, fear, blood, stench, and death. So even if we are no longer here, help those who will continue. Don't leave them alone with this. Please."

Ukrinform expresses its sincere condolences to the unit, family, and friends of Marina Vorontsova.

May the defender rest in peace!

As reported, in early February 2025, Anton Spitsyn, co-founder of the National Guard of Ukraine's “Hostri Kartuzy” unmanned aerial vehicle unit, died from his injuries.

Photo: Pixabay