Fred Grandy, a 62-year-old Oregon native and devoted volunteer in Ukraine, lost his life in a significant Russian missile assault on Kyiv, where he aimed to contribute during the ongoing war.
Oregon Man Volunteers in Ukraine, Falls Victim to Russian Airstrike
Oregon Man Volunteers in Ukraine, Falls Victim to Russian Airstrike
An American artist tragically dies in a drone attack amid escalating conflict in Kyiv
In late May, Fred Grandy, a talented artist from Oregon who created charming wooden signs and colorful metal flowers, arrived in Kyiv motivated by his concern over the shifting stance of the United States towards Ukraine. Family members shared that Grandy volunteered to help clear debris in the capital, devastated by the ongoing Russian attacks, believing he could make a tangible impact.
"He was determined to make a difference," recounted his sister, Sietska Reed, 75, who resides near Bend, Oregon. "He told me just five days prior that he felt he was exactly where he needed to be and hoped to extend his stay for several more months." Ironically, just days later, Grandy became one of at least 28 casualties in a large-scale assault, which began Monday night and extended into Tuesday, targeting various neighborhoods across Kyiv, including a nine-story apartment building that was almost completely destroyed.
Emergency services continued retrieval efforts on Wednesday, uncovering more victims amid severe damage to over two dozen sites throughout the city. The Russian Defense Ministry, which routinely claims innocence regarding civilian casualties, asserted that the attacks met their objectives, claiming to have struck all intended targets.
In the past few weeks, Russia's airstrikes have escalated, complicating any hopes for a cease-fire. According to estimates from the United Nations, over 13,300 Ukrainian civilians have died since Russia commenced its full-scale invasion in February 2022, though the actual number is believed to be even higher. Mr. Grandy stands out as potentially the first American civilian casualty from the aerial bombardments in Kyiv.
"He was determined to make a difference," recounted his sister, Sietska Reed, 75, who resides near Bend, Oregon. "He told me just five days prior that he felt he was exactly where he needed to be and hoped to extend his stay for several more months." Ironically, just days later, Grandy became one of at least 28 casualties in a large-scale assault, which began Monday night and extended into Tuesday, targeting various neighborhoods across Kyiv, including a nine-story apartment building that was almost completely destroyed.
Emergency services continued retrieval efforts on Wednesday, uncovering more victims amid severe damage to over two dozen sites throughout the city. The Russian Defense Ministry, which routinely claims innocence regarding civilian casualties, asserted that the attacks met their objectives, claiming to have struck all intended targets.
In the past few weeks, Russia's airstrikes have escalated, complicating any hopes for a cease-fire. According to estimates from the United Nations, over 13,300 Ukrainian civilians have died since Russia commenced its full-scale invasion in February 2022, though the actual number is believed to be even higher. Mr. Grandy stands out as potentially the first American civilian casualty from the aerial bombardments in Kyiv.
