The father of two children was killed while attempting to flee Ukraine on Monday; Victim’s father: The Ukrainian soldiers thought he was Chechen or something and killed him.
Adding to the tragedies reported amid the Russia-Ukraine war, a Jewish father of two was mistakenly killed on Monday while attempting to leave Ukraine. Roman Brodsky was reportedly shot dead by Ukrainian forces after they mistook him for a pro-Russian Chechen fighter. Brodsky was traveling among a convoy of vehicles on its way to the Moldovan border.
According to an initial report by The Times of Israel, Brodsky was living in Ukraine with his family before the war. The report states that the father claims that his son was killed at a military checkpoint. The father said, “The Ukrainian soldiers thought he was Chechen or something and killed him.”
Despite his son being killed by Ukrainian soldiers, Brodsky’s father pointed the finger at Russian President Vladimir Putin. He stressed the need for Israel to do its part in bringing its citizens home safely.
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett responded to Brodsky’s death, stating, “In the name of all Israeli citizens, I want to send my condolences to Roman’s wife, children, and family in Israel and in Ukraine. We are doing everything to help Israelis return home.”
The core Jewish population of Ukraine is approximately 43,000. However, up to 200,000 Ukrainians, according to a report by the Institute for Jewish Policy Research, qualify for Israeli citizenship in line with the Law of Return.