13-year-old Kyrylo Ilyashenko, who saved people from the “bus of death” in Sumy, became a prize-winner at the European Championships
30 May 2025 15:56
kyrylo Ilyashenko, 13, who saved people from a bus during an enemy attack in Sumy in April and was wounded himself, won a silver medal at the European Youth Beach Wrestling Championships. The competition was held in Porec, Croatia.
This was reported by the acting mayor of Sumy, Artem Kobzar, "Komersant Ukrainian".
Another Sumy resident, Yaroslav Shoshura, also won a bronze medal at the tournament.
As Kyrylo’s mother, Maryna Ilyashenko, toldSuspilne, the boy quickly returned to training after undergoing surgery. At first, he did light physical activity, stretching and breathing exercises. His father and trainer, Oleksiy Ilyashenko, developed a special recovery program that took into account his son’s health.
“In Croatia, Kyrylo took to the sand not as a victim of war, but as a real fighter,” Maryna Ilyashenko said.
In addition, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy awarded Kyrylo Ilyashenko with the honorary award “The Future of Ukraine”.
The head of the Sumy Regional Military Administration, Oleg Grigorov, called the boy “the pride of Sumy region”.
What is known about the shelling of Sumy on Palm Sunday?
On Palm Sunday, Russian troops launched a missile attack on the center of Sumy, using Iskander-M ballistic missiles.
At least 35 people were killed, including two children; 129 people were injured, including 17 children.
Among the dead were Olena Kohut, soloist and organist of the Sumy Regional Philharmonic, and Yuriy Yula, commander of the 27th Rocket Artillery Brigade.
The strike destroyed residential buildings, educational institutions and public transportation. It was the deadliest attack on Ukrainian civilians since the beginning of 2025
