Accessibility links

Breaking News

Rape Victim Whose Case Shocked Ukraine Dies From Injuries


A rally in support of Oksana Makar in Kyiv on March 15.
A rally in support of Oksana Makar in Kyiv on March 15.
Ukrainian health authorities say an 18-year-old woman whose rape and attempted murder shocked the country has died.

Prosecutors say Oksana Makar was raped by three young men on March 9 in the southern city of Mykolaiv.

The assailants then tried to strangle her and set her on fire.

She survived but was hospitalized with severe burns and damage to her lungs.

Health officials in the eastern city of Donetsk, where she was treated, said she died on March 29 after battling for her life for nearly three weeks.

The crime shocked Ukrainians and sparked nationwide protests against corruption after police initially released two of the suspects whose parents were former regional government officials.

All three suspects were eventually arrested and charged with rape and one with attempted murder.

Based on reporting by AP and UNIAN

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG