A Ukrainian mother who believed she had secured a safe future for her family by escaping the war with Russia has been plunged into a new nightmare following the deadly terror attack on Bondi Beach.
A Search for Safety Ends in Tragedy
Valentyna Poltavchenko made the agonising decision to leave Ukraine after Vladimir Putin's illegal invasion in 2022, seeking refuge in Australia. She was convinced the nation would be a sanctuary, a place where her eldest son would be spared from deployment to the bloody frontlines of the conflict. Her relief at finding safety, however, was brutally shattered on Sunday night.
Her young daughter, 10-year-old Matilda Poltavchenko, was among the 16 innocent people gunned down during a Hanukah celebration on the famous Sydney beach. The attack, which police believe was an ISIS-inspired antisemitic assault, claimed the lives of victims including London-born Rabbi Eli Schlanger.
A Mother's Anguish and the Alleged Attackers
Visibly distraught, Valentyna addressed mourners at a memorial just days after the massacre. She spoke of her initial joy upon arriving in Australia, now replaced by immeasurable grief. "I brought my oldest son from Ukraine, and I was so happy that he wasn't there fighting - that he is safe here," she said.
Her words then turned to the horror of her daughter's final moments. "I can't imagine what a monster who stands on that bridge, sees a little girl running for her father to hide - and pulls the trigger on her," Valentyna stated. "It wasn't an accident. It wasn't a stray bullet. It was a bullet. It was fired at her."
New South Wales Police have identified the perpetrators as Naveed Akram, 24, and his 50-year-old father Sajid, who was killed at the scene. The younger Akram, who was critically injured in a shootout with police, has been charged with a total of 59 offences.
Legal Proceedings and a Community in Mourning
According to police statements, the charges against Naveed Akram include:
- 15 counts of murder
- One count of committing a terrorist act
- 40 charges of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to murder
- A charge of causing a public display of a prohibited terrorist organisation symbol
Akram awoke on Tuesday under heavy medication. His first court hearing was held at his hospital bedside, and the case has been adjourned to 2026. Authorities are waiting for the medication to wear off before he can be formally questioned. New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon emphasised the need for fairness, stating, "For his fairness, we need him to understand what is exactly happening."
The attack has left the Sydney community and the nation reeling. As of now, 13 of the 16 victims have been formally identified, their stories painting a picture of a senseless act of violence that has irrevocably damaged countless lives, including that of a mother who sought nothing more than peace for her children.
