Savita Wagner, a German citizen, volunteered to defend Ukraine after Russia launched its full-scale invasion. Serving as a combat medic in the volunteer Karpatska Sich Battalion under the call sign "Zmiia" ("Snake"), she was killed while rescuing wounded Ukrainian soldiers.
Her mother, Ursula Wagner, shared her daughter's story in an interview with Deutsche Welle.
According to her mother, the 36-year-old medic was killed on January 31, 2024, during a Russian artillery strike while evacuating wounded troops from frontline positions.
From Humanitarian Volunteer to Frontline Combat Medic
Before Russia's full-scale invasion, Savita had never visited Ukraine.
After February 24, 2022, she initially traveled to Lviv to deliver humanitarian aid. Later, she visited the recently liberated town of Bucha with journalists. Witnessing the aftermath of the Russian occupation convinced her to stay and join Ukraine's defense.
Her mother recalls that Savita had always been compassionate and eager to help others. During her military service, she saved the lives of dozens of wounded Ukrainian soldiers, often working under direct enemy fire.
Her Family Didn't Know She Was on the Front Line
Ursula Wagner admitted that her daughter rarely spoke about the reality of her service.
She told her family that she worked at a medical station about 50 kilometers from the front line.
Only after Savita's death did her relatives learn that she had actually been living in a small trench in the Donetsk region, serving as a frontline combat medic just meters away from active fighting.
In her personal blog, Savita occasionally shared photographs from the front and described the harsh conditions—constant dampness, swarms of mosquitoes during the summer, and blood-soaked uniforms from treating wounded soldiers. She was also accompanied by a cat named Simka, whose companionship brought her comfort amid the hardships of war.
"Mom, I'm Fighting for Europe's Freedom"
Ursula Wagner says it took a long time to fully accept her daughter's death.
"I attended her funeral and understood that she was gone. But realizing that she would never come back took me a very long time," she said.
During their final meeting, just three weeks before Savita was killed, she told her mother:
"Mom, I'm fighting for Europe's freedom."
A Call to Continue Supporting Ukraine
Following Savita's death, her family urged the international community to continue supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.
Military analysts note that while foreign volunteers have made an important contribution to Ukraine's defense, they cannot replace the role of Ukrainian citizens themselves. According to experts, international volunteers strengthen Ukraine's resistance, but the country's defense ultimately depends on the determination and sacrifice of the Ukrainian people.
