A 46-year-old Ukrainian died in a refugee center in Germany: details and advice on personal safety

The war in Ukraine forced millions of people to seek refuge in different countries of the world, especially in Europe. However, even far from the front line, Ukrainian refugees face new threats that can end tragically. Real cases of recent years demonstrate that security abroad is an issue that requires special attention.

On August 12, a tragedy occurred in the center for refugees in the German city of Rostock in the north-east of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern: a 46-year-old Ukrainian was killed. A security service employee found him with serious injuries in one of the premises of a public dormitory. Unfortunately, when medics arrived at the scene, they only declared the man dead. Initially, the law enforcement authorities reported the suspicion of intentional murder, because the circumstances indicated a possible crime.

Subsequently, the police detained a 26-year-old man, also a citizen of Ukraine, suspected of committing this crime. However, the Rostock prosecutor’s office later decided to release the suspect due to insufficient evidence to prove his guilt. Currently, the investigation is ongoing, but the fact that he was released from custody shows the complexity of this case.

However, this case is not the only one that drew public attention to the problem of the safety of Ukrainian refugees in Germany. So, on June 3 this year, 9-year-old Ukrainian Valeriya disappeared on the way to school. After a week of searching, her body was found in the woods. The police detained a 36-year-old citizen of Moldova, who previously had a relationship with the girl’s mother, on suspicion of murder.

Another terrible incident happened on June 10, when a man with a knife attacked a Ukrainian woman in Frankfurt. A 41-year-old woman, who was resting on a park bench, was seriously injured by a 19-year-old Afghan man. The assailant crept up behind her and without warning stabbed her several times in the head and neck. Police said there was no connection between the attacker and the victim.

In addition, a tragic incident occurred in July 2023 in Munich. 34-year-old Ukrainian Natalia died after she was hit by a car at a pedestrian crossing. The driver, a 23-year-old German man, claimed he did not see the woman because of poor lighting, but the investigation found he was speeding. The family of the deceased is still seeking justice through the courts.

An equally tragic incident took place in December 2022 in Hamburg, where a Ukrainian family was a victim of arson. The fire broke out at night in an apartment building where several refugees lived. Fortunately, all residents managed to evacuate, but several people received serious burns, and a family from Ukraine lost all their documents and personal belongings.

Tips for avoiding similar situations

1. Be careful in unfamiliar surroundings. Try to avoid walking alone, especially in crowded places, and always inform loved ones of your location.
2. Do not leave children unattended. Teach children about safety and make sure they are always supervised by adults, especially when walking to school.
3. Follow the traffic rules. Check that roads are well lit before crossing them, and always be careful even at crosswalks.
4. Ensure the safety of housing. If you live in an apartment building, pay attention to fire safety and follow all fire evacuation instructions.
5. Contact local services for help. If you feel unsafe or see suspicious behavior, don’t hesitate to contact the police or other law enforcement agencies.

These simple but important recommendations can help Ukrainian refugees to avoid dangers, save their lives and health in a foreign country.